











RECONDITIONING PROGRAM FOR 
HOMES REGISTRATION OFFICES 


Including Procedures for Providing 
Free Technical Advice and Inspec 
tions to Home Owners in Collabora¬ 
tion with the Regional Offices of 
Home Owners’ Loan Corporation 


Revising Procedure of October 1, 1941 


NATIONAL HOUSING AGENCY 
HOMES UTILIZATION DIVISION 
1600 EYE STREET, N. W. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 


June 25, 1942 




'iW* 5 sr j’ / lx*j 4-3 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 


yjh 2?3 
• A £ 


Section I - Introductory 

Statement by John B. Blandford, Jr., Administrator_ 

Typical Remodeling Jobs_ 

War Economy and Obligation to Conserve Materials Brings Reconditioning 
into Sharper Focus_ 

Nation-Wide Technical Service to Property Owners through Homes 

Registration Offices_ 

HOLC Has Supervised the Reconditioning of More Than 550,000 Homes_ 

Advantages of HOLC Technical Service_ 

Types of Reconditioning Applicants_ 


a 


PAGE 

3 

4 to 8 

9 


9 

9 

10 

10 


The Program 

The First Step- Form a Representative Subcommittee on Reconditioning_ 11 

Membership of Subcommittee_._ 11 

Staff Requirements for Reconditioning_ 11 

How HRO Deals with Reconditioning Applicants___ 11 

How HOLC Deals with Applicants- 12 

Form HR-10 - Application for Reconditioning Service_ 13, 14 

Form HR-lOa- HRO Review Sheet for Screening Applications- 15 

Form DHR-20- Authorization for Reconditioning Service- 16 

Form DHR-21 - Scope of Reconditioning and Estimated Cost- 17 

Special Follow-up of Dormant Cases_ 18 

HOLC Will Assist HRO in Working Out Procedures_ 18 

Directory of HOLC Regional Offices_ 19 

Map of HOLC Regions_ 20 

Putting the Owner in Touch with Financing_ 21 

Exempting Loans from Consumer Credit Restrictions (Regulation W)_ 21 

War Housing Gets New Type of Loan_ 23 

WPB Liberalizes Rules on Building_ 24 

Procedure for Obtaining Priority Preference on Critical Materials_ 22 

Repair, remodeling or reconditioning Jobs-estimated total cost under $500_ 22 

Reconditioning or Conversion Jobs over $500 which require critical materials- 25 


1 


























PAGE 


Reconditioning or conversion Jobs which do not come under either of 

the above two classifications may still be permitted_ 25 

Building exempted from restrictions of Conservation Order L-41- 25 

Recording Completed Cases- 26 

Monthly Reports to Washington_ 26 

Form T - Report on Reconditioning Activity_ 28 

Zoning_ 26 

Standards for Remodeling and Reconditioning_ 27 

Section II - Promotion and Publicity to 
Stimulate Local Interest 

Conduct A Well-Planned, Continuous Campaign_ 29,30 

Sample Newspaper Publicity_._ 31 to 43 

Formation of Committee on Reconditioning_ 31 

Announcement of program providing architectural and technical services - 

cooperation of HRjO and HOLC_ 32 

"Conversion will modify need for new construction," says local HRO Director. 33 

"Estimate of conversion possibilities" by HRO Director_ 34 

Message by John B. Blandford, Jr., National Housing Administrator, to 

local HRO Director_ 35 

Message by Howard Strong, Director Homes Utilization Division_ 36 

Statement by HOLC Regional Reconditioning Supervisor_ 37 

Statement by prominent local architect_ 38 

Conversion example - remodeling a one family house into three apartments_ 40 

Remodeling loans can be exempted from credit restrictions Imposed by 

Regulation "W"_ 41 

WPB regulations definitely permit reconditioning and remodeling that will 

supply needed war housing- 42 

Suggested Radio Spot Announcements_ 44 to 46 

Current HRO Publicity Appearing in Newspapers_ 47 to 63 

Section 111 - Appendix 

Priority Regulations of the War Production Board 

Advance Release of April 10, 1942_ 65 

Digest of Preference Rating Order P-110_ 66 to 67 

Preference Rating Order P-110 in Full_ 68 to 71 

Form PD-406 - Application for Preference Rating on Material Entering into 

Low Cost Remodeling Projects, etc._ 72, 73 

Form PD-200-200a - Application for Project Rating_ 74, 75 

Conservation Order No. L-41_ 76 to 7° 

Specific illustrations of effect of order L-41_ 80, 81 


- 2 - 





























The necessity of conserving construction materials, labor and trans¬ 


portation requires that we minimize the volume of new housing to 
be built and, in turn, that we utilize existing housing to the limit 
compatible with public health and safety. 

In this connection we wish to encourage the reconditioning and con¬ 
version of existing structures in situations where this will add to 
the supply of housing with the use of relatively little materials 
and labor, but within the regulations established by local govern¬ 
ments . 

The National Housing Agency is counting on the local Homes Reg¬ 
istration Offices to assist and guide property owners on reconditioning 
and conversion, as a part of their extremely valuable service in the 
war housing program. 



Admin i stra tor 




War Worker Housing Through Title I 



AFTER remodeling and conversion (center) through a 
$5,000 five-year Title I loan, the property consists of 
four apartments which rent for a total of $2,496 pei. year 
(basic shelter rent plus heat, refrigeration, janitor service, 
etc.). The annual cost of operating the converted prop- 
erty is $1,168 per year. This figure does not allow for 
depreciation—but allows for vacancy and collection 
losses, administration, repairs, maintenance, and replace- 
ments, regular operation expenses, and taxes and insur¬ 
ance. Through $5,000 worth of remodeling, the prop¬ 
erty’s gross income was increased from $420 to $2,496 
per year. The difference between gross income and 
operating expenses equals $1,328 per year or $110 per 
month, more than enough to take care of the monthly 
payments ($99.25) on the Title I loan. The Schenectady 
campaign pointed out to property owners that when the 
loan is paid off at the end of five years, the owner will, 
of course, own a property greatly enhanced in value. 


Schenectady, N. Y., used an old home converted into four 
apartments with a $5,000 Title I loan as the basis of a campaign 
to interest propertys^wners in remodeling for rent. The owner, 
lender, contractor, anti others cooperated with civic groups in 
publicising the “demonstration” remodeling job pictured here. 


BEFORE remodeling (upper left) the property was a 
single family dwelling. It rented for $35 per month or 
$420 per year. Operating expenses—including taxes and 
insurance (but not depreciation charges)—amounted to 
$334 per year.. Amount available to meet depreciation 
charges and to pay a return on the investment: $86. 


14 


Insured Mortgage Portfolio 


4 



































































































































BOATFIELD REAL ESTATE CORP. 




THE ARCHITECTU 

TYPICAL KITCHEN 



At FORUM 

It is estimated that remodeling of old 
houses into smaller family units added 
135,000 dwellings to the nation’s supply 
during 1941, or half-again as many as 
were built by Federal agencies. This con¬ 
version of a two-story, four-apartment 
building shows how this was, and should 
be done. By dividing each of the 
former five-room railroad flats into three 
two- and three-room efficiency apartments 
the capacity of the building was increased 
to twelve dwelling units, at a cost well 
within the budget of the war worker. Only 
added construction was an extension at the 
rear replacing the service stairs and a pew 
rear porch. 

CONSTRUCTION OUTLINE 

ROOF: Rolled roofing—Ruberoid Co. 
WINDOWS: Sash—Curtis Companies; glass, 
double thickness—Pittsburgh Plate Glass 
Co. 

PAINTS: Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. 
KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: Refrigerator— 

Frigidaire Corp. 

BATHROOM EQUIPMENT: Cabinets—Hen- 
ry Weis Mfg. Co., Inc. 


5 



































































































































































ARREN, OHIO 


FRANK O. GUTHRIE 
BUILDING CONTRACTOR 




o 



FIRST FLOOR SECOND FLOOR 
SCA LE IN FEE T 

o 5 10 20 

BEFORE 


A very practical and unpretentious remodeling, 
with three apartments worked very neatly into the 
framework of a large old single-family dwelling. 
Each unit has one bedroom, a well-equipped kit¬ 
chen and a dinette. The builder very wisely re¬ 
frained from tampering with the exterior, which 
is perfectly adequate for all practical purposes. 
The only outside change involved the enclosure of 
a part of the back porch to provide space for a 
kitchen. Baths for the two front apartments have 
been provided in a very direct and economical 
manner. Remodeling raised the income on this 
property from nothing to $130 per month. 


- 6 _ 



































































































































































BEFORE 


THE ARCH 


CTURAL FORUM 



This remodeling and rehabilitation job make 
good sense from a real estate standpoint a 
well as from a war housing point of view 
With no major structural changes, an eleven 
room relic, untenanted and fast falling inti 
-r ' A disrepair, was turned into a profitable five 
I family apartment. Exterior walls were cov 

__ ered with new wood shingles, the forbiddinf 

j porch removed and a new one built, anc 
efficiency apartments created simply by th< 
construction of interior partitions and th< 
installation of new plumbing. Two of th< 
units have “Pullman” kitchenettes, the othe: 
three full-size kitchens. They rent for ar 
average of $50 a^nonth, or $200 all told, ii 
filace of a former asking price of $40. 


7 

















































































































































Before After 

(left) (below) 

This 10-room house was made into four apartments. The large rooms in fron t 
were divided into two apartments with combined kitchenette and dinette and 
bath in each, and upper porches were screened. At the tear, an enclosed stair¬ 
way was removed and floored over, creating two additional rooms-one on each 
floor-which were made into kitchenettes and baths. Two former rear rooms 
were included to make two apartments. All partitions were papered and wood- 
work and plaster were put into best repair. 



This hone ori,finally rented for $40 a month. The investment of 
approximately $2,000 in remodeling it into four apartments in¬ 
creased the monthly revenue to $130, which will soon begin to 
represent a net gain to the owner. 


Before After 



Before its conversion this building had been a store with living quarters. It now contains two 8-room apartments. 

Exterior changei: Store front was removed and full-length columns added. The cement floor of the store was used for a porch, recessed cement steps and iron railing 
were added. Windows replaced the old side doors and side light openings were added in the front of each apartment. 

Interior changei: The balance of store space was converted In each apartment Into living room, bath, and ball with built-in closets. Chimney in the third room was 
removed and clothes closets provided in each bedroom. The rear porch was enclosed for kitchens; plumbing, water heaters, adequate gas and electric installations were 
made throughout. 



























































June 30, 1942 


INTRODUCTION 


War Economy And Obligation To Conserve Mater¬ 
ials Brings Reconditioning Into Sharper Focus 

Much of the present pressing demand for housing to accommodate war workers can be met 
by the reconditioning and remodeling of existing structures. Established residential areas 
now served by sewer, water, and other facilities - offer a reservoir of properties, many 
of which can be replanned, converted or reconditioned, frequently at savings in materials, 
labor, and time, to supply additional wartime housing at reasonable rentals. 

Moreover, in face of the greatly expanded program of war production, it is altogether 
conceivable that material and labor shortages, already acute, may become sufficiently severe 
to curtail construction of new homes, whether for war workers or not, to an even greater 
degree than can now be foreseen. Accordingly, we should contemplate the possibility that 
it may eventually be necessary to produce a substantial por-tion of war housing by recon¬ 
ditioning structures, especially those susceptible to remodeling or conversion at appre¬ 
ciable savings in materials. 

A reconditioning program, designed both to modernize dwellings which can be converted 
for increased occupancy and to make substandard properties habitable, is therefore essen¬ 
tial to the full utilization of existing housing facilities. In addition, such a plan will 
help to avoid overbuilding in communities where war activities now are concentrated but 
which may later decline. 


Nation-Wide Technical Service to Property 
Owners Through Homes Registration Offices 

The program outlined here is intended to aid Homes Registration Offices in stimulating 
the reconditioning and remodeling of existing dwellings. In addition, it will provide HRO 
Directors with a ready source of technical counsel on reconditioning to which property 
owners seeking such advice may be referred. 

This program was announced on August 18, 1941, when arrangements were outlined whereby 
free technical service and inspection would be rendered property owners by the fee and 
salaried technical personnel of the Home Owners* Loan Corporation. Briefly, any Homes Reg¬ 
istration Office can, by contacting its nearest HOLC regional office, arrange to have ex¬ 
perienced reconditioning technicians inspect properties and advise owners with respect to 
the feasibility and cost of the reconditioning. This preliminary technical service is fur¬ 
nished at no charge to the owner, Federal funds having been allocated to HOLC to pay tech¬ 
nicians rendering owners this free service. 

This is not a program for supplying cash or mortgage loans for remodeling; your local 
lending agencies, such as savings and loan associations, banks, or other mortgage lending 
institutions will be the sources of credit. 


HOLC Has Supervised The Recondi¬ 
tioning Of More Than 550,000 Homes 

HOLC has a wealth of reconditioning experience. Its nation-wide staff of salaried ana 
fee reconditioning experts has directed the repair of more than 550,000 homes at an expen¬ 
diture of over $170,000,000* 


9 


HOLC's routine reconditioning activities are conducted in this manner: If the owner 
of a home on which HOLC holds a mortgage finds a need for repair, the HOLC Regional office 
assigns a technician in or near the locality to inspect the house and report on the scope, 
feasibility, and cost of the job. If the decision is to proceed, a technician is authorized 
to prepare plans and specifications, take bids, let the contract and supervise the job to 
assure satisfactory completion. 

The joint HRO-HOLC reconditioning program is simply a means of making this specialized 
technical service available to property owners in areas where additional war housing is 
urgently needed. HOLC service is entirely technical m nature and does not include fi¬ 
nancial assistance or loans, except in the case of HOLC borrowers. 


Advantages of HOLC Technical Service 

There are, of course, various local sources, such as architects, supply dealers or 
home improvement contractors from which owners may obtain reliable reconditioning advice 
and estimates. These local agencies have a definite place in this program and should be 
utilized fully. However, some owners may prefer to have costs estimated independently, or 
to secure an impartial recommendation concerning materials and construction methods without 
obligating themselves to any particular dealer or builder. Likewise they may fear high 
pressure follow-up by sales minded agencies. HOLC free technical service is intended to 
serve Just such owners. 


Types of Reconditioning Applicants 

Cases which only Involve redecorating, repapering or simple repairs should be referred 
directly to local contractors or dealers. In short, HRO will be primarily concerned with 
cases where some structural problem is involved and where impartial, expert advice on how 
best to make the proposed changes and their probable cost, will help the owner reach a de¬ 
cision on the matter. Free technical service is restricted to properties where the accom¬ 
modations can be increased by remodeling or where structures can be brought into use by re¬ 
habilitation. The service can be rendered by HOLC only in those localities which have been 
officially designated as "defense housing critical areas." Moreover, properties recommended 
for HOLC service either should be within two miles walking distance of adequate public trans¬ 
portation costing no more than 40^ per round trip, of the plants where workers occupying 
the accommodations are employed. Proximity to war plants and establishments is now a basic 
WPB requirement for priority assistance. 

HOLC service is available in all such instances but there may well be cases where 
direct referral to reliable local agencies may be desirable. If an owner wants immediate 
service on a promising property and HOLC cannot render it within a day or so, such cases 
may be referred to local architects or home improvement companies which have shown them¬ 
selves capable of providing reliable estimates and preliminary sketches at no charge to 
the owner. In general, HOLC technical service is intended to supplement rather than re¬ 
place local sources of reliable technical service. It can be used as a check on plans and 
estimates prepared by local concerns or it can be utilized as the one source of technical 
service in communities where such service is not available. 


10 


THE PROGRAM 


The First Step - Form a Representative Subcommittee On Reconditioning 

Reconditioning can best be stimulated by obtaining the combined support of all local 
factors interested in solving the local housing problem by the widest use of existing 
structures. This is distinctly not a one-man Job. An effective reconditioning program 
will require additional funds and additional staff in the Homes Registration Office. Ex¬ 
perience has definitely shown that a 'subcommittee comprising local interests actively ad¬ 
vocating reconditioning is an absolute "must" if results in terms of additional housing 
are to be obtained. 


Membership of Subcommittee 

The following local interests should be represented on the subcommittee: traction 
and public utility companies; savings and loan associations and banks; real estate board; 
building supply dealers and remodeling contractors; the municipality; the local Housing 
Authority; the local newspaper. In all cases the real estate editor or the reporter who 
covers building news should be included, since his attendance at committee meetings will 
help to bring about the desired newspaper publicity. It is well to have someon;* on the 
committee thoroughly familiar with local zoning ordinances. 

The subcommittee's first job is to establish policy and guide the local program's de¬ 
velopment. Since publicity is absolutely essential to the stimulation of reconditioning, 
a promotional program should head the list of activities to be initiated. If funds are 
needed for the production of posters, pamphlets, radio transcriptions, or other promotional 
media, the subcommittee should be called upon to raise such funds. At the outset the sub¬ 
committee should meet at least once a week. After policy is decided and a program formu¬ 
lated, meetings once every thirty days are advisable to step up the program. 


Staff Requirements for Reconditioning 

Experience in handling reconditioning applicants has indicated the need for a staff 
member to interview and counsel prospective home remodelers and to conduct preliminary in¬ 
spections of properties so that the limited funds available for free HOLC technical service 
may be spent on feasible projects. Efforts should be made to secure a loan of an individual 
with construction or real estate experience. Such agencies as the local housing authority 
or association, the City Building Commissioner or the real estate board should be asked to 
supply a qualified person for this work. 


How HRO Deals with Reconditioning Applicants 

Certain mimimum information should be obtained on the property before deciding whether 
the case should be referred to HOLC for free technical Inspection. For this purpose two 
forms, copies of which are reproduced on the following pages, have been developed. These 
are: 


HR-10 - APPLICATION FOR RECONDITIONING SERVICE (A suggested form) 

This suggested form is used to record all information relating to the 
particular property under consideration. One copy is furnished HOLC, 
if the case qualifies, together with DHR-20. One copy is retained for 
HRO records. 

HR-lOa - HRO REVIEW SHEET F0 R SCREEN I NG APPLICATIONS (A suggested form) 
Once HR-10 is completed, the interviewer can readily ascertain if the 


11 


project qualifies by using this handy check list. For example, if a 
property is appraised at $8,000 but carries mortgages amounting to $10,000, 
there is little likelihood that any bank would advance funds for re¬ 
conditioning since there is no equity left in the property. Also, 
reconditioning must increase the accommodations in the structure or be 
immediately essential to its habitation. This form is for HRO informa¬ 
tion only - no copy need be furnished HOLC. 

When reconditioning possibilities are sufficiently evident and the case would appear 
to qualify when checked against the items on HR-lOa, it is assigned to the nearest HOLC 
regional office on the following form: 

DHR-20 - AUTHORIZATION FOR RECONDITIONING SERVICE (A mandatory form) 

The use of this form is mandatory. It authorizes HOLC to provide the 
owner with the technical service described on the form under Item I. 

HOLC cannot render this free service unless it receives this signed 
authorization from HRO. Note that this form provides also for addi¬ 
tional technical service to be paid for by the owner on a fee basis. 

However, most owners will not be able to determine if these additional 
paid services are desired until the free service is rendered and costs 
are known. A copy of the completed Application (Form HR-10) should ac¬ 
company DHR-20 when the latter form is referred to HOLC. 

In short, the Homes Registration Office performs the following functions in connection 
with reconditioning applicants: 

(1) Using forms HR-10 and HR-lOa, the Homes Registration Office de¬ 
termines the feasibility of the proposed reconditioning and its 
suitability as war housing; eliminates non-qualifying applications. 

(2) Refers "screened" cases to HOLC for free technical service, using 
for this purpose Authorization Form DHR-20 (or in special cases 
where reconditioning possibilities are promising and speed essen¬ 
tial, the owner may be referred directly to a reliable local arch¬ 
itect, dealer or contractor for immediate handling). 

(3) Arranges consultation with owners after Inspection Report (DHR-21) 
has been furnished by HOLC and advises on methods of financing and 
local sources thereof; also with respect to obtaining priority 
preference for critical materials and exemption from credit re¬ 
strictions under Regulation "W" of the Federal Reserve Board. 

(4) Follows all cases, both those referred directly to local concerns 
or those on which an HOLC inspection Report has been furnished, to 
determine eventual disposition and to list accommodations when job 
is completed. 

(5) Maintains adequate records as to current status of all cases so 
that monthly reports may be made to the Homes Registration Divi¬ 
sion at Washington, D. C. 

How HOLC Deals With Applicants 

Upon the receipt of Authorization Form DHR-20, together with a copy of the Applica¬ 
tion (Form HR-10), the HOLC Regional office assigns a local fee inspector or a salaried em¬ 
ployee, as the case may be, to inspect the property and prepare a report indicating the 
scope and estimated cost of the job on Form DHR-21. 


12 


HR-10 


APPLICATION FOR RECONDITIONING SERVICE 

HOMES REGISTRATION OFFICE 

., 19. Case No. 


Name of applicant (owner). 

Address (owner). 

(Street) (City) 

Address of property to be improved ... 


Phone 


(County and State) 


(Street) 


(City) 


(District) 


(County) 


(State) 


1. Description of Property: Lot size.x_ 

Type of structure: Detached □ Semidetached □ Row □ Other.. 

Number of stories. Number rooms. Number baths. Garage. Basement.. 

Present use: Dwelling □ Apartments □ Rooming house □ Combination store and.. 

Occupied: Yes □ No □ Number families now occupying.... 

Condition: Year built. Minor repairs needed. Major repairs. 

Foundation (material). Condition: Good. Fair. Poor 

Exterior walls (material). Condition: Good. Fair. Poor 

Roof (material). Condition: Good. Fair. Poor 

Utilities: Running water □ (hot □ cold □) Heat: central □ Type. 

Toilets—Indoor: Yes □ No □ Flush: Yes □ No □ Private: Yes □ No □ 

Bath or shower: Yes □ No □ Families sharing toilets. Bath. Shower. 

Electricity: Yes □ No □ Telephone: Yes □ No □ 

Neighborhood: Zoned A, B, or C. For apartments □ Rooming house □ Other. 

Remarks:. 

Number blocks from: Elementary school. High school. Playground. Bus ... 

Street car. Industry. Kind of industry. 

Streets: Paved □ Macadam □ Gravel □ Graded only □ 

Sidewalks: Concrete □ Asphalt □ Brick □ None □ 

2. General description of property and condition. 


Property inspected by H. R. 0. representative: Yes □ No □ Date. 

3. Nature of proposed reconditioning or conversion (describe briefly work to be done—repairs, modernizing, con¬ 

version or additions and extent of structural work required, etc.). 

Type of conversion: 

House to rooming house Q House to apartments □ Other. 

Number present dwelling units. Proposed additional units. 

or additional rooms. Other. 

If number of dwelling units is not increased is reconditioning essential to habilitation?. 

4. What information or service, in addition to general consultation, is desired: 

I. □ Inspection of property and cost estimates III. □ Awarding contract; progress and final inspec- 

of the proposed improvements. tions. 

II. □ Plans and specifications and bids from IV. □ Other service:. 

qualified contractors. 


10—-24D90-1 


13 









































































S. Suitability as defense housing (describe defense activities to be served and proximity thereto) 


Proposed monthly rent: Furnished. Unfurnished .. 

If for sale, state proposed sale price:. 

Will preference in occupancy be given to persons engaged in defense activity? Yes □ No □ 

Will completed reconditioned unit be available to defense workers with children? Yes □ No □ 


6. Age of property.(years). Present value, $. 

Assessed value (from tax bill): Land, $. Improvements, $. Total $ 

Annual heating expense, $. Annual Fire Insurance Premium, $.. 

Annual water service cost, $. Annual gas and electricity service cost, $.. 


7. I (we) owe the following debts (mortgages, liens, back taxes, etc.) against the property: 


To Whom Indebted. (Nuu) Bulk, Bavlnie 
and Loan Aaaootatlon, Private Individual, 
ate. 

Deeorlba Debte— Mortgage or Improvement 
Loan, eto.—FHAf 

Date Obligation 
incurred 

Praaant Unpaid 

Bel an or 

Amount of 
Monthly Pay¬ 
ment! (Inoludlng 

Amount Peat Dim 
































8. Have you made application for the loan (Yes □ 

required? (No □ If yes, to whom?. 

Have you applied for technical informa- fYes □ 
tion elsewhere? (No □ If yes, to whom? 


Accepted □ 
Declined □ 


9. Owner’s Plan of Financing: 

Bank or Building and Loan □ Cash □ $. Mortgage Loan □ Other 

Signature... 

(Owner) (Wife or husband) 


Date 


10. It is agreed that the free preliminary service is limited to an inspection of property, a diagnosis to determine 
feasibility and scope of reconditioning and an estimate of cost (DHR-21). This mitial service is rendered at 
no cost to the applicant provided the Homes Registration Office has determined that the proposed improvement 
meets defense housing requirements and recommends it to H.O.L.C. for free preliminary service. If further 
technical assistance is required, namely, preparation of specifications in form DHR-22, securing bids, awarding 
contract, including progress and final inspections, the H.O.L.C. or its representatives will arrange for a tech¬ 
nician to perform the work at a reasonable fee, to be paid by the applicant {owner). 

It is understood and agreed that the preliminary service is purely advisory and involves no obligation whatsoever 
on the part of either the Homes Registration Office, the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation, or other agencies 
of the Federal Government or their representatives, not can these agencies or their representatives be held 
responsible for the estimates, the services rendered, nor the final results of such reconditioning. 


FOR HOMES REGISTRATION OFFICE USE ONLY 

11. Disposition of Case bt H.R.O : 

Recommended by H.R.O. for free technical diagnosis on form DHR-20. 

Case unacceptable—placed in inactive file. 

12. Processing bt H.R.O : 

Preliminary technical diagnosis (DHR-21) requested of. 

Report (DHR-21) received by H.R.O. from H.O.L.C. or fee teehnician. 

H.R.O. conference with owner to review DHR-21 recommendation. 

Owner’s decision to proceed: Yee Q No □. 

Financing arranged by owner (lending institution). 

Zoning problems, if any, cleared with... 

Case referred to H.O.L.C. for final processing (estimated cost), $. 

Job completed-.(total ooet), $. 

Number of additional units provided by reconditioning. 

Dwelling unite registered by H.R.O... 

Rented.-...,..(monthly rent), $. 


Date 



- 14 - 



























































































HR* 10a 


Homes Registration Office 


HRO REVIEW SHEET FOR SCREENING RECONDITIONING APPLICATIONS 

(To be used in conjunction with Form HR-10) 


-, 19- Case No.. 

Name of applicant (owner) ._Phone_ 

Address (owner)___ _ _ 

(Street) (City) (County and State) 

Address of property to be improved 


Feasibility of Project: Will it qualify as defense housing? (Refer to data, recorded on Form HR—10) 

In defense area?__ 

Located near or within reasonable commuting distance of defense or related industries?_ 


Rent within range of defense workers income ?_ 

If for sale, is price within proper range?_ 

Will preference be given defense workers?_ 

Type of accommodations suitable to needs of defense workers ?_ 

Class and quality of accommodations suitable to needs of defense workers?_ 

Present number of habitable dwelling units_ 

Number habitable units after reconditioning___ 

If no additional dwelling units are to be added, is proposed remodeling or reconditioning immediately essen¬ 
tial to continued habitation of the units?_ 

Will zoning or other ordinances restrict this change?_ 

Are present or contemplated utilities adequate to serve needs of improved structure?_ 

Heating plant □ Gas □ Electricity □ Water □ Plumbing □ Sanitary facilities □ Other □ 


Is it necessary to install separate gas, electric, and water meters for each unit? 
Is neighborhood desirable? Yes □ No Q To what extent?_ 


If property is now substandard, will improvements raise to desired standard?_ 

Are changes structurally feasible?_ 

HRO opinion_ 

HOLC opinion 


Is the project sound from standpoint of cost, financing, and income? 

1. Total assessed value of property (from tax bill)_$_ 

2. Cost of improvements as estimated by HOLC__ $_. 

3. How much cash is available?_$- 

4. Mortgage or total debt on property- . 

5. Present mortgage carrying charges (monthly payments)- $_. 

(a) Delinquent payments-$- 

( b ) Other liens (monthly carrying charges)-- $- 

6. Amount of loan needed to make proposed improvement-- $- 

7. Carrying charges on this loan (monthly payment)---$- 

8. Length of period required to pay out....... 

9. Total monthly carrying charges (items 5, 5b, 7)- $- 

10. Monthly income expected from improvement.-- $- 

11. Total estimated income after conversion--$-- 

12. If a vacancy occurs can owner meet monthly payments---- 

13. Type of owner’s employment--- 

Employed by --- 


Owner’s monthly income $--- How long in this position? 


U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 10-24067-1 


15 








































































































































FORM HO. 
0ilR-20 


AUTHORIZATION FOR RECONDITIONING SERVICE 
FOR DEFENSE HOUSING 
Homes Registration Office 


19. 


Case No. 


Name of applicant (ovner) _ 

Address (owner) - 

Street City 


City 


Distriet 


Phone: 


County and State 


County and State 


TO THE HOME 0WNEB8* LOAN CORPORATION (Reconditioning Section): 

An Application for Reconditioning Service (Form HR-10 copy attached) having been made on the 
above property, this office has examined same with a view to determining that the proposed improve¬ 
ment meets war housing requirements and has made a preliminary analysis with respect to the feasi¬ 
bility of the improvements. On the basis of this survey the project is recommended to you for free 
preliminary service as outlined in item I below. It is understood that this initial service is to 
be rendered at no charge to the applicant. 


If further technical assistance as outlined In Items II and III below is desired by the appli¬ 
cant, the HOLC or its representative will arrange for a technician to perform the work at a reason¬ 
able fee to be paid by the applicant. 

You are hereby requested and authorized to provide the following technical service in connec¬ 
tion with the reconditioning the subject property. 


II. 


III. 


Without cost,to owner 

Inspect property, make preliminary sketches (if necessary) determine scope 
of reconditioning and prepare report incorporating estimated cost on Form 
DHR-21. Furnish Homes Registration Office with two copies of completed 
Form DHR-21. 

On a fee basis, to be agreed upon by the owner and HOLC 

Prepare typewritten specifications on Form DHR-22 and working drawings (if 
necessary) and obtain bids from qualified contractors. 

On > fee basis, to be agreed upon by the owner and HOLC 

Award contract, notify contractor to commence reconditioning in accordance 
with signed contract, make all necessary progress Inspections and upon com¬ 
pletion make final inspection of the reconditioning and furnish two copies 
of certificate of final inspection (Form DHR-23) to Homes Registration of¬ 
fice or to the financing agency. 


It is understood and agreed that the counsel or technical service rendered is purely advisory 
and involves no obligation whatsoever on the part of either the Homes Registration office, the Home 
Owners' Loan Corporation or other agencies of the Federal Government or their representatives, nor 
can these agencies or their representatives assume responsibility for the estimates, the services 
rendered, nor the final results of such reconditioning. 


Property Inspected and reported upon by HRO representative: Yes No. 

Remarks:_ 


Owner should sign if items II 
and III, or both, are requested 


Service Authorized: 

Homes Registration Office 


Owner's Signature 


By. 


19. 


16 

































HOM r nWEES’ LOAN CORPORATION 
Kl<.v*DITIONING SECTION 
SCOPE OF RECONDITIONING A ESTIMATED COST 

(DEFENSE MOUSING) 


0«n«r’« N&ae A. G. Carter _ 

Street Addrsss 814 Byers _ 

city Jopl in_state Missouri 

Date Assigned 4—18-4 2 Returned 4-25-42 


Case No. 14 _ 

Property Location: Joplin, Missouri 

Street Address _ 814 Byers _ 

cit» Joplin _state Missouri 


ITEMIZED SCOPE OF RECONDITIONING 


DESCRIPTION OT PROPERTY 


The subject property la a two story, frame building, brick and stucco veneer. 

veil hullt, at present used as a single family residence. It Is located in a desirable 

neighborhood, and the O’mer wishes to convert It into a duplex, as Indicated on the 

accompanying drawings. This will convert a single family residence into desirable 

accommodations for two families. 


The general condition of the building la good, both structurally and from the 

standpoint of maintenance. It la pleasing In appearance end the roof is in good condition. 

Foundations are of masonry and the basement is adequate. The house le heated by a 

gravity type warm air system. 


VALUE or PROPOSED CHANGES 


The proposed changes will provide two complete dwelling units where one exists 

now, with a minimum of structural changes. The house will conform to adjacent properties. 

The property is in good condition and the Improvements recommended will conform 

to local laws and ordinances. The Owner proposes to occupy the downstairs apartment 

and the upper apartment should rent for approximately $50.00 per month r.t prevailing 

rentals. 


rOvsrj 


Carried Forward $ 


A sample HOLC report. This together with 
a sketch, when necessary, indicates the 
scope of the job; gives an approximation 
of cost, the structural changes involved 
and other pertinent data. Thus it pro¬ 
vides a basis for determining if the job 
is feasible, if it will conform to local 
laws and ordinances, its approximate cost 
and the probable return from the units 
created. Such information is particularly 
helpful in describing the work when mak¬ 
ing application for priorities. This HOLC 
report is furnished free to property 
owners. 


Here the HOLC fee technician has itemized 
the specifications and estimated the cost 
of each item. With this data the owner 
may let the job with the assurance of 
getting a fair price. HOLC technicians 
are instructed to strip all Jobs of non- 
essential critical materials to facili¬ 
tate action by WPB if application is made 
for priorities. 


A. 0. Cnrter Case So. 

814 Byers 

Jcplln, Missouri EIDER SHEET HO_ 

ITEMIZED SPECIFICATIONS OF YORK 


RECOMMENDED RECONDITIONING 


CARPENTRY: 

1. Install new partitions as shown, using 2" by 4" studding 16" o.c., rock lath 

and plaster on interior, and 5/8" v.p.on exterior. 500 sq.ft. © *25 

2. Furnish and install 4' new interior doors and frames and relocate one 

existing door. 4 ea. @ 15.00 

3. Build new shed roof over second story kitchen, with rock lath 

and plaster ceiling in kitchen. Lump Sun 

4. .Furnish and install 4 new D.H. v>ood sash and frame. 4 ea. © 20.00 

5. Install new white pine cabinets in kitchen as shown. 60 sq.ft. £ 1.50 

6. Install new 6td. linoleun floor in second story kitchen. 100 sq.ft. © .20 

7. Install 4" mineral wool in nev kitchen ceiling. 140 sq.ft. © .11 

PAINTING AND DECORATING: 

1. Clean down pH existing Interior wood work, in rooms where new work is 
shown, and apply one coat of paint or varnish to march. 12 opgs. © 1.00 

2. All new interior and exterior wood work shall be given three coats of 

paint or stain and varnish to natch existing work. Lump sun 

3. Remove wall paper fron wells where new work is called for and install 

new wallpaper, of patterns to be selected and to cost not nore than 20 cents 
per single roll, on walls and ceilings. 37 rolls 6 .35 

FLIK3ING: 

1. Furnish and Install new 19"x 30" sink In kitchen 1 ea. ® 40.90 


125.00 


100.00 

80.00 


15.40 


12.00 


24.00 

9.15 

40.00 


ELECTRICAL WORE: 

1. Furnish arid install 4 ceiling outlets, 4 double convenience outlets, and 
6 switches, wired complete, according to the Electric Code and the laws of 
the City of Joplin, Missouri. 14 outlets © 3.00 

HEATING: 


42.00 


1. Extend warm air duct with supply to second stcry kitchen. Lump Sum- 


25.00 


9 642.55 


Fora No. DHB-22A 


17 





















































Inspection having been made, HOLC forwards the completed Report Form DHR-21 to the 
Homes Registration Office, with a copy also to the owner. 

The Homes Registration Off ice should, then c ontact t he property owner, determine whether 
he intends to proceed with the contemplated reconditioning, direct him to local sources of 
financing, and determine the need for further technical advice. If additional technical 
service is required, namely, preparation of final plans and specifications, and complete 
supervision of the job as outlined in Items II and III of authorization form DHR-20, the 
Homes Registration Office should return the case to HOLC. A technician is then assigned 
to provide these additional supervisory services at a reasonable fee to the owner. 

The importance of the consultation between HRO and the owner to review and discuss 
the completed HOLC inspection report can hardly be overstressed. If HRO chooses to mail 
the HOLC report to the owner, the case should be followed up by phone or letter to arrange 
for this consultation. Not only will this assure that the job is facilitated in every way 
possible but also it will enable the Homes Registration Office to ascertain the eventual 
disposition of the case and record the space if the owner proceeds to complete the job. 


Special Follow-up of Dormant Cases 

When a completed HOLC inspection report (DHR-21) indicates a feasible job but the 
owner fails to make a decision within a reasonable time, some offices have been successful 
in getting action by turning the case over to a reliable local architect or home improve¬ 
ment contractor with instructions to endeavor to clarify, with the owner, any points which 
may be obscure in the cost estimates or construction recommendations. Selection of con¬ 
tractors for this special work should be made with care. First and foremost the owner 
should be approached with a view to supplying additional figures or of helping to determine 
if an alternate method of doing the job would cut costs. Moreover such assignments should 
be made on the basis of giving the smaller Job to the smaller architect or contractor, and 
the bigger, more- complicated projects to the larger, better equipped contracting concerns.' 

Circumstances surrounding an owner's financial situation or conditions affecting the 
Job itself are subject to rapid change. Hence no feasible Job should be permitted to fall 
by the wayside unless a thorough follow-up reveals conclusive reasons for closing the file. 


HOLC Will Assist HRO in Working Out Its Procedure 

Although HOLC cannot supply individuals to perform the interviewing and screening 
functions for the Homes Registration Offices, Regional offices will supply reasonable as¬ 
sistance in training an individual to do this work. HOLC may even be able to make sugges¬ 
tions as to the source from which a qualified reconditioning assistant may be obtained on 
loan. 









DIRECTORY OF HOLC REGIONAL OFFICES 


REGION 1 


New England States 

New York 

Pennsylvania 

Delaware 

Maryland 

Virginia 

New Jersey 

D. C. 

REGION 2B 


Ohio 


West Virginia 



REGION 

3 A 


North 

Carolina 

Al abama 

South 

Carolina 

Georgia 

Florida 


REGION 3B 


Tennessee 

Arkansas 

Kentucky 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Louisiana 


REGION 4 


Illinois 

Michigan 

Wisconsin 

Indiana 


REGION 5A 


Nebraska 

South Dakot 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Minnesota 

Colorado 

North Dakota 


REGION 5B 


Texas 


Okl ahoma 


New Mexico 


REGION 6 


California 

Wyoming 

Washington 

Utah 

Oregon 

Arizona 

Idaho 

Nevada 


Montana 


(Address all Regional Reconditioning Supervis 


Mark A. Hammond, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
#2 Park Avenue Building 
New York, N.Y. 


L. J. Slaughter, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
Bell Telephone Company Building 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 


R. T. Ledbetter, Jr., Reg. Recond.Supvr. 
John Silvey Building 
114 Marietta Street 
Atlanta, Georgia 


Ralph C. Roudebush, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
Sterick Building 
#8 Third Street 
Memphis, Tennessee 


George A. Benish, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
The Merchandise Mart 
336 North Wells Street 
Chicago, Illinois 


Arthur B. Dunham, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
Woodmen of the World Building 
14th and Farnam Streets 
Omaha, Nebraska 


Charles W. Oliver, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
Cotton Exchange Building 
Dallas, Texas 


Joseph 0. Baar, Reg. Recond. Supvr. 
Pacific Bldg., 821 Market Street 
San Francisco, California 


rs m care of the Home Owners' Loan Corp.) 


- 19 - 







































If additional personnel or funds are needed to carry on an effective reconditioning 
program and the director feels the need of assistance in making this presentation to his 

committee, the HOLC regional office may be requested to assign a representative to help 
the director in this mission. 


Putting The Owner in Touch With Financing 

Your nearest Federal Housing Administration office can supply a list of local banks 
or savings and loan associations which make remodeling loans under FHA Title I. It is 
recommended that you phone or call upon these institutions to inform them that you intend 
to direct owners seeking loans to them. If you have a banker or savings and loan executive 
on your subcommittee, he can undoubtedly assist in acquainting your local bankers with 
these activities and in enlisting their assistance. 


There are, as well, national lending institutions which specialize in repair and re¬ 
modeling loans. These "national" lenders, because of large scale operations and substan¬ 
tial volume, frequently will take loans which local lending institutions feel they cannot 
afford to handle. If a large number of cases fail to attract local lenders, a discussion 
of this problem with a representative of one of these "national" lenders may lead to ar¬ 
rangements whereby owners may have a more adequate source of Title I financing than is 
available locally. The names of lending companies of this nature which may be active in 
your particular locality usually can be obtained from local lumber dealers. 


Originally FHA property improvement loans could not exceed $2500, nor could payments 
run longer than three years. However, to aid owners in the conversion of large older 
houses from one-family occupancy into two or more family living units. Congress recently 
amended Title I of the National Housing Act permitting insurance of War Conversion loans 
up to $5,000 and terms up to seven years. Title I War Conversion lo&ns are limited to 
designated war production areas and to remodeling and conversion of existing structures to 
provide additional accommodations suitable for war workers. Full details of this new loan 
can be obtained from your local FHA office. 

In most cases the question of whether or not a contemplated remodeling job can qualify 
for a loan should be determined by the lending institution, although there may be some 
instances where the facts are so obvious the Homes Registration Office can render an opinion. 

If the home owner is an HOLC borrower (i.e., the HOLC has refinanced the mortgage on 
the property and still holds the loan) he may apply to the HOLC for a remodeling loan. If 
HOLC policy permits the loan to be made the case, except for listing when completed, need 
no longer concern the HOMES Registration Office sinc.e adequate technical supervision will 

be provided by HOLC. 


Exempting Loans From Consumer Credit 
Restrictions (Regulation If ) 

Remo4eling loans are subject to the credit restrictions issued by the Board of Governors 
of the Federal Reserve System under the title "Consumer Credit - Regulation W." However, 
if the Proposed reconditioning will increase the number of habitable dwelling units or is 
immediately essential to habitation and the units thus obtained are suitable and available 
to war workers* the loan can quickly be exempted from this credit restriction. It is sug¬ 
gested that the home owner proceed to obtain financing in the usual way since the lending 
agency is,empowered to make exceptions to Regulation W when the remodeling or recondition¬ 
ing qualifies as defense housing. 


- 21 





Procedure For Obtaining Priority Preference on Critical Materials 

In orders issued on April 9 and 10, 1942, the War Production Board revised and tightened 
its priority system. However, these restrictions applv mainly to construction in non-war 
areas - having been designed to eliminate "non-defense and non-essential" projects. Re¬ 
modeling or reconditioning that will supply needed war industry housing is definitely per¬ 
mitted. 

Specific provisions to encourage reconditioning and conversion tn war production areas 
were included in Preference Elating Orde'r P-110 issued by WPB on April 10, 1942. Under this 
Order, priority ratings will be granted for critical materials needed in repairing, remodel¬ 
ing or converting structures, provided the project will create more housing accommodations 
in the locality than existed prior to its initiation. 

Units thus created must rent or sell at reasonable prices. In no case can the shelter 
rental exceed $50 per month per unit, nor can the sales price exceed $6000 per single family 
structure. Lastly, the cost of the critical materials involved cannot exceed an average 
of $100 per room for each dwelling unit, nor may the total cost of the scarce materials 
exceed $800 per structure. 

In order to obtain a priorities rating under Order P-110, the contractor or owner 
files a PD-406 application at his nearest' FTEA office. Such application, if recommended to 
WPB and approved by that office, will lead to the granting of an A-5 preference rating 
under Order P-110. While most reconditioning or conversion projects will come under P-110, 
other jobs can still be qualified, as explained later on. 

Consequently reconditioning or conversion to provide extra war accommodations will 
not be appreciably affected by those WPB rulings and Homes Registration Offices should con¬ 
tinue to encourage such Jobs. 

FHA field offices will be able to inform owners or builders with respect to the pro¬ 
cedures which should be followed to qualify individual projects under the new WPB rulings. 
The necessary application forms are available at FHA and WPB field offices and from banks, 
savings and loan associations or from other home financing institutions. Information re¬ 
garding those localities which have been officially designated as Defense Housing Critical 
Areas and copies of the Defense Housing Critical Materials List also may be obtained from 
any local FHA or WPB office. 

Homes Registration Offices which do not have ready access to FHA or WPB field offices 
will find the following general rules helpful in advising prospective remodelers and in 
screening reconditioning areas: 

Repair, Remodeling or Reconditioning Jobs - 
Estimated Total Cost Under $500 

(a) Projects Involving no critical materials. . . . and 

(b) Projects involving critical materials which suppliers are willing 
to furnish without a priorities certificate. 

Projects in these two categories are not affected by Conservation 
Order L-41, provided the estimated total cost, including labor and 
all materials, does not exceed $500. Such Jobs may be undertaken 
in the customary manner without WPB permission, without reference 
to any WPB rules and regulations and without filing any papers with 
FHA. 

(c) Projects involving critical materials for which suppliers do re¬ 
quire a priorities certificate. 

Form PD-406 should be signed by the builder, certified by the 
owner and submitted in triplicate to the nearest FHA field office. 


22 


NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 1942. 


WAR HOUSING GETS 
NEW TYPE OF LOAN 

Offered on Seven-Year Terms 
for Remodeling Work in 
Defense Localities 


AVAILABLE UP TO $5,000 


FHA Head Says These Loans 
Are Exempt From Consumer 
Credit Restrictions 


7 YEAR REMODELING LOANS 
NOW AVAILABLE THRU 
NEW FHA PLAN 


In an effort to encourage needed 
war housing through remodeling 
and conversion of existing struc¬ 
tures, remodeling loans on the 
FHA plan have been converted to 
a strictly wartime basis, Federal 
Housing Commissioner Abner H. 
Ferguson announced yesterday. 

A new type of “war conversion 
ioan” with a term of as long as 
seven years, he pointed out* is 
available for converting an exist¬ 
ing structure into additional living 
accommodations for war workers. 
The remodeling job, however, must 
be in a designated war production 
area. This loan is available up to 
$5,000. 

As for the type of work per¬ 
mitted several rooms suitable for 
rooming or housekeeping purposes 
may be remodeled. An attic or a 
second-story may be remodeled into 
an apartment and a structure not 
now a dwelling may be remodeled 
into a one or multifamily house. 

These loans are excepted from 
the regulations restricting con¬ 
sumer credit. Agencies responsible 
for the conserving of critical ma¬ 
terials are encouraging this type of 
operation because it helps to pro¬ 
vide urgently needed housing for 
war workers without using a great 
amount of material. 

In spite of some misunderstand¬ 
ing, Mr. Ferguson emphasized, 
loans up to $2,500 are available for 
necessary maintenance and repair 
work to safeguard health and 
safety, and to maintain property 
in good working condition. 


- 23 













WPB LIBERALIZES 
RULES ON BUILDING 


Original Order Is Clarified for 
Benefit of Men Engaged 
in Construction Field 


REPAIR WORK CLASSIFIED 


When Authorizations Are 
Needed Is Explained in Ques¬ 
tion and Answer Form 


Special to The New York times. 

WASHINGTON, June 6—A 
series of liberalizing interpreta¬ 
tions of the War Production Board 
order of April 9, which put all con¬ 
struction under rigid control, was 
issued today. 

The original order made it neces¬ 
sary for builders to obtain authori¬ 
zation from WPB to begin residen¬ 
tial construction costing $500 or 
more, agricultural construction 
costing $1,000 or more and other 
construction costing $5,000 or 
more during any twelve months. 

Today’s interpretations include a 
ryllng that construction authorized 
by WPB does not have to be in¬ 
cluded in the cost quota allowed in 
the order. For instance, an owner 
specifically authonzed by WPB to 
remodel an industrial plant may 
still spend, in addition, up to $5,000 
—the limit allowed without au¬ 
thorization—during any twelve 
months. 

Another ruling is that where a 
building is used for two or more 
purposes it should be classified ac¬ 
cording to its predominant use. 

Cost of Used Material Out 

Another interpretation provides 
that the estimated cost need not 
include the cost of used material, 
including equipment, which has 
been taken from a building and is 
to be used in other construction 
work, provided there is no change 
of ownership. It is not necessary, 
likewise, to include in the total 
cost estimate the cost of labor in 
incorporating such used material. 

The estimated cost of a project, 
under the interpretation, shall in¬ 
clude the cost of certain equip¬ 
ment. These include articles, chat¬ 
tels or fixtures physically incor¬ 
porated in the building and used as 
a part of the building. Also in¬ 
cluded are items that cannot be de¬ 
tached without materially injuring 
tjiem or the construction. 


The term “without change of de¬ 
sign,” as it applies to repair work 
permitted by the order, is inter¬ 
preted to allow change in material 
or type of equipment if the archi¬ 
tectural or structural plan is not 
substantially altered in effecting 
the change. 

Another ruling is that movement 
of earth, ditch digging, grading, 
etc., where no material except 
earth or other unprocessed ma¬ 
terial is involved, should not be in¬ 
cluded in the cost of the project. 

Questions and Answers 

Questions and answers covering 
the interpretations are as follows: 

Q—The owner of a plant is per¬ 
mitted to spend up to $5,000 for 
construction during any continuous 
twelve-month period. Where con¬ 
struction will cost more than that 
sum, he must obtain authorization 
from the WPB before starting con¬ 
struction. If such an owner re¬ 
ceives authorization to build a 
$6,600 addition to his plant, does 
this mean he cannot spend any 
more money for construction dur¬ 
ing the next twelve months with¬ 
out first obtaining further author¬ 
ization ? 

A—No, the owner does not have 
to include the construction author¬ 
ized by the WPB, so he still may 
spend up to $5,000 for work with¬ 
out specific authorization. 

Q—The first floor of a three- 
story building is used for a store 
and the other two floors are used 
for apartments. Is this building 
classified as residential (limit 
$500) or commercial (limit $5,- 
000 ) ? 

A—Residential, because more 
floor space is used for that pur¬ 
pose, consequently its “predomi¬ 
nant use” is residential. 

Q—The owner of an office build¬ 
ing wants to tear down partitions 
to enlarge one suite and use the 
material to build partitions in an¬ 
other suite. May he use this mate¬ 
rial without authorization? 

A—Yes, if only used material is 
used and there is no change of 
ownership. 

Q—May an owner obtain used 
material from someone else and 
use it to construct similar parti¬ 
tions without counting the cost of 
such work in his twelve-month 
cost quota? 

A—No. 

When Authorization Is Needed 

Q—An owner plans to build par¬ 
titions using some new material 
and some of his own used material. 
It is estimated that the total cost 
will be $10,000, including labor. 
The cost of new material and the 
labor needed to install it is $4,000; 
the balance includes the value of 
the used material and the labor 
needed to install it. Is authoriza¬ 
tion necessary? 


A—No. Only the cost of the new 
material and the labor necessary to 
install it should be counted. Since 
this total is less than $5 000, no 
authorization is needed. However, 
the $4,000 must be applied to the 
owner’s cost quota for the next 
twelve months, leaving him less 
than $1,000 before passing the 
limit. 

Q—A lumber camp comprises a 
mill and ten cabins providing liv¬ 
ing quarters for the men operating 
it. All the selected timber in the 
area has been cut and the owner 
plans to knock down the mill and 
cabins and rebuild them on a new 
camp site ten miles up the valley 
where operations will continue. 
Must the owner obtain authoriza¬ 
tion to use this old material to 
build the new camp? 

A—No. 

Q—A store owner plans to in¬ 
stall an elevator. The cost of build¬ 
ing the shaft is $1,500 and the cost 
of the elevator is $7,000. For the 
purpose of complying with the pro¬ 
visions of L-41, what is the total 
cost of the project? 

A—The cost of the shaft and the 
elevator should be added, making a 
total of $8,500, and consequently, 
authorization should be obtained 
before starting the construction. 

Shift in Material Permitted 

Q—Because a plaster ceiling is 
badly in need of repair the owner 
plans to put up a new ceiling. May 
he use another type of material, 
such as composition board, for the 
new ceiling, or must he use 
plaster ? 

A—Where repairs are necessary, 
it is permissible to use any other 
type of material if the architectural 
or structural plan is not substan¬ 
tially altered. 

Q—Does this mean an owner 
may replace a worn out metal roof 
with a single roof? 

A—Yes. The type of material 
used makes no difference so long 
as the structural plan of the roof 
is not altered substantially. 

Q—Should the cost of landscap¬ 
ing be included in the total cost of 
a project? 

A—No, unless tile or other proc¬ 
essed material is to be used. 


24 
























If FHA recommends the application to WPB and it is approved, an 
A-5 priorities rating will be granted. This class of job comes 
under Preference Rating Order P-110. This Order also applies to: 

Reconditioning or Conversion Jobs Over $500 
Which Require Critical Materials 

In this category the cost of the critical materials is the limiting factor rather than 
the total cost of the Job. In short, jobs costing $1000, $3000 or even $5000 or more may 
qualify for an A-5 preference rating under P-110 if the cost of the critical materials in¬ 
volved does not exceed an average of $100 per room for each dwelling unit and the cost of 
the scarce material per structure does not exceed $800. 

Other requirements which must be met to obtain a preference rating under Rating Order P- 
110 are (a) projects must be located in Defense Housing Critical Areas near public trans¬ 
portation lines serving war plants or within walking distance of such plants or war acti¬ 
vities (b) must provide additional living accommodations and (c) be sufficiently low in 
total cost to bring rental or sales prices within the range of war workers. Such accommo¬ 
dations must rent or sell, during the war period, at prices set forth in the approved ap¬ 
plication PD-406. However, the monthly shelter rent can in no case exceed $50per dwelling 
unit, nor can the sales price exceed $6000 per single family structure. 

("Shelter" rent is defined as a rent paid for shelter only and is derived by tak¬ 
ing the total rent paid or asked and deducting the cost of such services as 
water, electricity, heat, gas, janitor service, garage space, or furniture if in¬ 
cluded.) 

Here again rating is applied for on Form PD-406. If approved by WPB an A -5 pref¬ 
erence rating is granted. Forms PD-200 and 200a are not required in the foregoing in¬ 
stances. 

Jobs which do not come under either of the above 
two classifications may still be permitted. 

For example, a large conversion Job offering urgently needed accommodations might con¬ 
ceivably involve more than $800 in critical materials, yet the room cost for criticals 
might come within the $100 per room figure. However, in such cases it will be necessary 
to obtain an Authority to Begin Construction in addition to making application for priori¬ 
ties. Also priorities are applied for under Preference Rating Order P-55, instead of Pref¬ 
erence Rating Order P-110. In these cases the owner must certify that preference in rental 
or sale will be given war workers. Here, in brief, is the procedure in such instances: 

Authority to Start Construction: Application for authority to start construction is 
made to FHA field offices on Forms PD-200 and PD-200a (Application for Project Rating). 
Also at the same time submit priorities Form PD-105b. (PD-406 cannot be used in these 
cases). These forms should be accompanied by a statement evidencing the urgent need for 
the accommodations and supporting the contention that the Job will provide the needed 
housing at less expenditure in critical materials than would other construction. FHA 
will decide whether or not the project qualifies for recommendation to WPB. 

The War Production Board will authorize only those projects which are, in its opinion, 
absolutely essential to the war effort. Such projects must also be stripped of all non- 
essential critical materials. This should be done by the builder, owner or architect, as 
the case may be, at the time plans and specifications are being prepared. Critical ma¬ 
terials must be conserved in all projects and applicants will facilitate WPB action by 
cutting the use of such materials to a minimum before the project is laid before FHA. 

Building' exempted From Restrictions of Conservation Order L-41 

These classes of construction are specifically exempted: The maintenance of a building 


- 25 






in sound working condition, or the repair or restoration, without change of design, of 
any portion of a building which has been rendered unsafe or unfit for service. Likewise, 
the construction or restoration of any residential building damaged or destroyed after De¬ 
cember 31, 1941, by fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, act of God, or the public enemy, is 

permitted. 

Applications which are denied by the local FHA office can be appealed to an Appeals 
Board in the War Production Board. 


Recording Completed Cases 

A complete record should be maintained showing current status of all remodeling Jobs 
in process ana a follow-up system to insure prompt listing of the accommodations as soon 
as they are ready for occupancy. If the project has been undertaken without HOLC super¬ 
vision, the Homes Registration Office will necessarily follow the owner to ascertain the 
completion date so that the space may be listed as available and HOLC informed of the dis¬ 
position of the case to complete its records. 


Monthly Reports to Washington 

Reconditioning activities should be reported every sixty days. Copies of Form T will 
be mailed to all Homes Registration Offices in advance of each reporting date. Reports 
should contain cumulative totals of all requests or applications handled and their current 
status from the time your office began accepting applications through the date of the par¬ 
ticular report. 

In order that the status of any case may be determined at a given time, the following 
file system is suggested: Prepare a file folder for each heading and subheading shown on 
Form T. As cases are processed the applications should be transferred from one file to 
another, with appropriate notations made under Item 12 of the Application Form (HR-10)* 
This classification of applications by current status will make the Job of compiling the 
report relatively simple. 

In addition to Form T, a brief narrative statement outlining general progress to date, 
extent of promotional activities and results therefrom, and other pertinent observations 
should be submitted together with clippings of current newspaper publicity. 


Zon i ng 

Changes in existing zoning ordinances should be made only with competent technical ad¬ 
vice, The following comment, taken from an appendix to "Urban Planning and Land Policies," 
Volume II, published by the National Resources Planning Board, bears directly on problems 
which may be encountered in connection with local zoning ordinances: 

"The large one-family house built years ago, when standards were simpler and 
servants cheaper, constitutes an acute problem in the administration of many or¬ 
dinances. If zoned in a one-family zone, such a building may not be altered into 
a two-family or three-family apartment. Yet because of social changes which have 
occurred, it has practically no value as a one-family house, and conversion into 
a rooming house not only produces too small an income but prejudices the ameni¬ 
ties of the up-to-date one-family dwellings in the neighborhood. 


"Some owners may prefer rezoning so that their property can be remodeled into 
flats and small apartments. However, if such rezoning also permits the erection 
of apartment houses, neighboring vacant lots may be immediately improved with 
apartment buildings. This embarrasses the newer one-family houses in the neigh- 


26 - 


I 


borhood more seriously than alterations which would convert these mansions into 
small apartments. 

"In one case, the entire district is gradually changed into an out-and-out apart¬ 
ment house neighborhood, inflicting premature depreciation and obsolescense upon 
all one-family houses. In the other, these large houses are altered to accommo¬ 
date two or three families, as their size permits, and to yield an increase in 
rents to the owner; but the one-family character and appearance of the district 
are preserved, since new apartment houses crowding the lot, erected to a great 
height and housing a considerable number of families, are excluded. 

"Cities like Durham, N.C. and Johnstown, N.Y. probably have solved this problem 
as satisfactorily as it is possible to solve it. Though including such buildings 
in the one-family zone, both cities authorize the board of adjustment, after the 
usual hearings, to permit the alteration of these buildings into small apartments, 
provided the building is not enlarged and maintains its original external appear¬ 
ance. Such a regulation does justice to owners of these buildings and is at 
the same time a constructive factor in sustaining the value of the modern one- 
family dwellings in the vicinity." 

Where zoning presents any real problem, owners should be directed to the building or 
zoning commission where the merits of the case may be reviewed with a view to obtaining an 
equitable adjustment in zoning. Some Homes Registration Offices have consulted with zoning 
authorities to obtain their assurance that such cases will be handled speedily Dy the com¬ 
mission to facilitate the reconditioning program. 

Standards for Remodeling and Reconditioning 

The following general standards are considered desirable for the remodeling or recon¬ 
ditioning of houses or other structures for war housing purposes. The development and ap¬ 
plication of detailed standards must be based upon particular local conditions. Many exist¬ 
ing structures may not conform to all the standards suggested, although they may function 
as satisfactory dwellings in other respects. It is recognized that the standards should be 
applied with discretion, particularly in those cases where only minor alterations or re¬ 
pairs are involved. 

LOCATION: The desirability of general locations for reconditioning depends upon accessi¬ 
bility to defense employment, availability of community facilities, and freedom from adverse 
influences such as swamps, dumps, and industrial nuisances. 


ZONING: Emergency changes should be worked out on a temporary basis if not compatible with 
the long term planning for the community. They are desirable only if made with competent 
Judgment and technical advice, based upon thorough knowledge of local conditions. 


SAFETY, SANITATION, AND HEALTH: Adequate provision should be made to comply with local 
regulations or other recognized standards, with regard to sanitation, safety,fire hazards, 
etc. 

OTHER: In considering the use of basement rooms for habitation, care should be given that 
floor grades are not an excessive distance below ground level. Each family unit should 
have a means of access without passing through any other dwelling unit. Bathrooms should 
preferably be accessible to every bedroom without passing through another bedroom. 

Desirable equipment and facilities include electric light, hot and cold running water, 
bathtub or shower, lavatory, inside flush toilet, kitchen sink, provision for cooking and 
refrigeration, heating system and fuel storage, refuse disposal, closet and general storage 

space. 


- 27 


NATIONAL HOUSING AGENCY 

Office of the Administrator Form T-2 

HOMES REGISTRATION OFFICE REPORT ON RECONDITIONING ACTIVITY THROUGH MAY 31, 1942 
City_ State _Submitted by___ 


1. Total requests for assistance recorded by office thru May 31 (Include 
all recorded cases, whether referred directly to contractors, lumber 
dealers or others, or referred to HOLC for technical service) - - - - 

( ITEMS 2 TO 6 SHOULD COVER APPLICATIONS FOR HOLC SERVICE ONLY ) 

2. TOTAL APPLICATIONS FOR HOLC RECONDITIONING ASSISTANCE 

RECEIVED BY HRO THROUGH MAY 31 - 

2a. Applications for HOLC assistance rejected by HRO, 
withdrawn by owner or regarded as ineligible for 

other reasons - - - - - - - - - - - ------ _ 

2b. Applications now awaiting HRO action or now in 

process in HRO, not yet ready for transmittal or not 

yet transmitted to HOLC - --------- 

2c. Total eligible cases referred to HOLC on Form DHR-20 - 

(Sum of Items 2a, 2b and 2c should equal Item 2) 

3. CASES STILL AT HOLC, NO DHR-21 REPORT YET RECEIVED ON MAY 31 - 


4. CASES INSPECTED AND REPORTED UPON BY HOLC ON DHR-21 THROUGH MAY 31 - - 

4a. Cases where owner has indicated willingness to proceed - _ 

4b. Cases where owner is undecided - - ____ - _ 

4c. Cases abandoned, indefinitely deferred, or found not 

feasible for any reason - - - --- - ----- 

(Sum of Items 4a, 4b and 4c should equal Item 4) 

(Item 4 plus Item 3 should equal Item 2c) 

( IN ITU'S 5 AND 6 BSLO-'J. REPORT ONLY ON CASES WHERE 

HOLC HAS MADE AN INITIAL REPORT ON FORM DHR-21 . 

-ALL OTHER CASES Vi/HERE RECONDITIONING IS PROCEEDING 

OR COMPLETED ARE TO BE REPORTED IN ITEMS 7 AND 8 . 

REPORT STATUS OF CASES AS OF MAY 31.) 

5. NUMBER OF PROPERTIES BEING RECONDITIONED, BUT NOT 

YET COMPLETED - 


5a. Number of new family units which will be created 
5b. Number of new single rooms which will be created 

6. NUMBER OF PROPERTIES FOR \HICH RECONDITIONING HAS 

BEEN COMPLETED - 

6a. Number of new family units created - - - - - 

6b. Number of new single rooms created - - - - - 

(REPORT BELOV, ONeY ON CASES NOT REFERRED TO HOLC. EHERS NO HOLC REPORT ON 

FORM DHR-21 AkS MADE ON THE PROPERTY. THESE ARE CASES HICH HAVE BEEN 

REFERRED DIRECTLY TO CONTRACTORS. DEALERS, LENDING INSTITUTIONS. OR OTHERS . 

REPORT STATUS AS OF MAY 31.) 

7. NUMBER OF PROPERTIES BEING RECONDITIONED, BUT NOT YET COMPLETED - - _____ 

7a. Number of new family dwelling units which will be created - - - _ 

7b. Number of new single rooms which will be created - - - - - 

8. NUMBER OF PROPERTIES FOR l '/HICH RECONDITIONING HAS BEEN COMPLETED - _ 

8a. Number of new family dwelling units created ----- - - - _ 

8b. Number of new single rooms created --- - - - ------ _ 


Actual 

Construction 
Supervised 
By HOLC 
Technicians 


Owner 

Proceeded In¬ 
dependently 
without HOLC 
Supervision 


The above form is to contain cumulative totals of all recorded requests or 
applications for assistance from the time your office began accepting appli¬ 
cations through May 31, 1942, Please check into status of all cases at the 
time this report is made so it may represent a complete record of your re- 
conditioning ope rations. 

D 401 


28 










































































SECTION II - PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY TO 
STIMULATE LOCAL INTEREST 


Conduct a Y/e 11-Planned, Continuous Campaign 

The task of creating a volume of reconditioning sufficient to relieve the shortage 
in living quarters will require the cooperation of newspapers, radio stations, and other 
sources of publicity in a continuous, well-planned promotional campaign. The news stories 
outlined here are offered as suggestions and with the understanding that they should be 
localized before being sent to local papers. 

A suggested story announcing the cooperation between the Homes Registration Office and 
the technicians to be furnished through the Home Owners' Loan Corporation heads the list. 
Once that announcement is used, both in newspapers and over the radio, there are many other 
sources of publicity: 

1. Statements by the officials of the Homes Registration Office on the 
aims of the program, its development, problems met and solved. 

2. Statements by city officials, civic leaders, civic groups, real es¬ 
tate organizations, home-financing agencies, etc., in support of 
the program. 

3. Statements by HOLC technicians, or leading architects, on the pos¬ 
sibilities of conversion for revenue. 

4. Speeches before Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, or Commercial Clubs later 
translated into stories for newspapers. 

5. "Before and after" picture of conversion Jobs to stimulate interest 
in others. 

6. Statements by officials of the National Housing Agency when they 
visit your city. 

The transit system offers one of the most effective means of distributing literature. 
Boy Scout troops offer a ready means of house-to-house distribution. Cards in streetcars 
and buses, stories in the house organs of various industries and in local magazines, post¬ 
ers and billboards - all these have been found of value. In most cities, newspapers and 
radio stations will help freely. 

As features develop - a unique remodeling or conversion job, the renovation of a house 
with an interesting history - newspapers should be willing to assign feature writers to 
assist you, and radio commentators can go further than "spot announcements." 

Included in material obtainable from FHA are window display items, newspaper ads., 
leaflets on FHA War Conversion loans, a motion picture, car cards and radio dialogues. The 
Federal Home Loan Bank System has asked its 3,900 member savings and loan associations and 
other thrift and home-financing agencies to cooperate with you. Banks, utilities and all 
segments of private industry should be willing to help publicize such a campaign. Printing 
companies may be willing to help fashion posters and displays,* other organizations may be 
willing to help finance them. After all, it's a community job ... a job in which the 
public and civic agencies shown below should be ready and willing to enlist. 


Council of Defense 
Chamber of Cqpmerce 
Junior Board of Commerce 
Board of Trade 
Real Estate Board 

Apartment Owners and Managers Association 


Housing Authority 

Housing Association 

Council of Social Agencies 

County Board of Public Assistance 

City Department of Health 

City Department of Architecture 


29 







Public Utilities 
Bankers Association 
Savings and Loan League 
Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Etc. 


YMCA and YWCA 
Travelers Aid Society 
Woman's Clubs 
Boy Scouts of America 


Religious Organizations 


These and many other organizations have been utilized in your registration program 
since it was Inaugurated. They can now help in the drive to convert properties to provide 
additional living units. They can furnish speakers for meetings and to go on the airj 
their leaders can be quoted in the press. 

A Few Things To Remember 

Localize Everything. The following stories are only examples. Alter them to fit your own 
program. If you should find one that exactly fits your needs, retype it after you have 
filled in the blanks. The more ’ you can localize your stories, the more acceptable they 
will be. 

Watch for "Art*. Editors like pictures and drawings. A tip on a feature that will make 
good art will interest any editor. Canvassers starting on the Job, girls interviewing 
property owners, *befor e and after" shots of houses that are repaired for war workers — 
these have human interest. When a speaker uses your program for a topic, pernaps your 
newspaper will use a picture of him. Architects should be willing to furnish you with 
designs for remodeling and modernization particularly adapted to your city. A picture of 
several houses being remodeled at one time is a feature for any newspaper. 

Radio Has a Home Audience. Don't be satisfied with an interview over the air. Radio spot 
announcements at frequent intervals during the day will reach housewives. A 50-word an¬ 
nouncement of your program sandwiched into a news broadcast may be more valuable than a 
lengthy discussion. 

Don't Keep Too Many Secrets. Every week's progress should contain some news. Your program 
isn't one that can be accomplished with one big "play" in newspapers, or a single editorial, 
or some praise on the air. You've got to keepitbefore people. You will only get a small 
percentage of your potential "conversions" through the first appeal. Steady reports on 
your progress and the development of your campaign provides an effective way of keeping 
your program before the public. 

• 

People Want Technical Advice. Home owners don't know how their homes can be remodeled or 
modernized and they fear prohibitive expenses. HOLC technicians have directed the recon¬ 
ditioning of 550,000 homes and know their business. Have them interviewed, solicit arti¬ 
cles from them. The leading residential architects in your city are also good sources for 
such stories. Editors want as many authoritative articles on how to repair homes as they 
can obtain. 


Sample Publicity 


1 . Formation of Committee on Reconditioning 

2. Announcement of program providing architectural and technical serv¬ 
ices - cooperation of Homes Registration Offices and HOLC. 

3. "Conversion will modify need for new construction," says lo^al HRO 
Director. 

4. "Estimate of conversion possibilities" by HRO Director. 

5. Message by John B. Blandford, Jr., National Housing Administrator, 
to local HRO Director. 

6. Message by Howard Strong, Director tlomes Utilization Division. 

7. Statement by HOLC Regional Reconditioning Supervisor. 


- 30 - 


SAMPLE 


NEWSPAPER PUBLICITY 





8 . Statement by prominent local architect. 

9* Conversion example - remodeling a one family house into three a- 
partments. 

10. Remodeling loans can be exempted from credit restrictions imposed 
by Regulation W. 

11« WPB priority regulations definitely permit reconditioning and re¬ 
modeling. 

12* Radio spot announcements. 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspaper) 

1. Formation of Committee on Reconditioning 

A campaign to provide at least _ ..(number) _ new rental housing units for the 

- .(city) -area will be launched shortly according to Mr._ 

-Chairman of the Committee on Reconditioning and Conversion of the local 

Defense Counsel. 

The Committee was formed at the request of Mr._ Director of the 

- (ci ty) -Homes Registration Office, who acted at the suggestion of Mr. John B. 

Blandford, Jr., Administrator of the National Housing Agency at Washington, D. C. The 
Committee is composed of more than a score of leaders in the real estate, building, bank- 
ing, traction, industrial and housing fields. They have been working for anumber of weeks 
on plans to assist home owners to speedily remodel and convert the older and single family 
residences into multiple family dwellings or to utilize for dwelling purposes space now 
wasted. The purpose of the Committee is to combine and consolidate services of existing 
federal and municipal housing agencies thereby making it easier for owners to renovate or 
convert and produce much needed rental units for war workers and their families. 

The Committee is working with the National Housing Agency, the Home Owners* Loan Cor¬ 
poration, the Federal Housing Administration and the Homes Registration Office here. It 
is now working out the procedure whereby the Homes Registration Office will function as a 

clearing house to make available technical assistance to owners interested in repairing 
and remodeling their properties. 

"One of the first steps to be taken by the Committee is a survey of all properties to 
determine the number of unoccupied residences or other structures and which might be brought 
into use to help fill the urgent need for additional low rental war housing," stated 

Mr._Committee Chairman. "In some cases adjustments in zoning may be 

needed to permit conversions. The Committee will ask Mayor- (none) -and city 

department heads to consider each case on its merits and to grant exceptions where it can 
be shown that the needed conversion will not adversely affect property values. These 
officials have already pledged their cooperation." 


31 










Housing officials report a critical need for low rental units in_ (city) -. 

These accommodations are Just as vital to local plants engaged in war production as are the 
critical materials from which shells, tanks, guns and planes are made. The Committee has 
been set up to enlist public support in the conversion program and to provide home owners 
efficient help in making the preliminary property inspection to determine economic sound¬ 
ness and feasibility of specific projects. "If the war plants in this area are to produce 
better and faster, we must accept the challenge and produce more war housing better and 

faster," said Mr._Director of the Homes Registration Office. "Full 

use of space in existing homes and other structures will go a long way in helping to solve 
our local housing problems and it is hoped that local property owners will respond to pro¬ 
vide the large number of additional* low rental units needed in the _ (city) _area." 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspapers) 

2. Announcement release 

Property owners who want to repair and convert their houses to accommodate war workers 
and their families can obtain the advice of architects and technicians, without cost, at 

the _Homes Registration Office, _, Director of that 

office stated today. 

"Home owners with unused space which can be converted into suitable living quarters 
for war workers should apply to the Homes Registration office for assistance," said 

Mr. _. "Through the HOLC, we will supply technicians to inspect their 

properties, advise on the possibilities of conversion and estimate the cost. The Homes 
Registration Office also will advise the property owner on obtaining a remodeling loan, if 
needed. This service will be given without charge, provided a new living unit is created 
for war workers." 

Mr._explained that HOLC technicians can give owners the benefit 

of their experience in reconditioning and repairing more than 550,000 HOLC homes. Pres¬ 
ident Roosevelt has authorized the use of $100,000 from emergency funds, he said, to sup¬ 
plement the HOLC salaried staff with fee architects and technicians. 

"Many home owners have been willing to utilize extra rooms and floors but they haven’t 
known how to proceed. Under the new program, they will be furnished with the proper advice 
and direction." 

"There are three major reasons for property owners to cooperate in this effort," said 

Mr * -• "They will thus become active participants in the nation’s battle 

against the Axis and help to step up production in a practical and effective way; they will 
derive additional income from their properties, and they will improve the underlying value 
of those properties. For example, a ten-room house now occupied by two or three persons 
could be converted into two apartments entirely satisfactory for war workers and probably 


- 32 - 












bring the owner sufficient income to pay not only his taxes and interest but permit the 
family to reduce the principal if the house is now mortgaged. If additional income, over 
and above the loan payments is derived, the patriotic owner can buy himself some War 
Bonds." 

^ r * ---pointed out that there were many advantages in utilizing ex¬ 

isting houses because they already are adequately supplied with utilities, paved streets, 
schools and provision for recreation. "Conversion and modernization of existing properties 

will also ease the strain on the material market," said Mr. __. "Usually 

less material in the critical brackets is necessary to provide accommodations through con¬ 
version than through new construction." 

Owners of private homes or apartment houses with vacant units, or vacant space that 
can be remodeled into acceptable housing units, should apply in person for the free tech¬ 
nical service at the Homes Registration Office,_ (a&dre <t * i _. 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspapers) 

3. *Conversion will modify need for new construct ion, v 

says local Homes Registration Office Director 

Every home provided for a war worker’s family through the use of existing properties makes 

unnecessary the construction of a new housing unit in (c.it\) _ , Mr._ , 

Director of the Homes Registration Office, said today. 

Appealing to owners to remodel and repair their properties to utilize vacant space, 

Mr._ declared that war housing requirements can be met most promptly, 

economically and effectively by utilizing available dwellings. 

" _ - C1 tyJ - faces the challenge of providing low rental housing for war 

workers," said Mr._. "We can help meet the demand by a repair and mod¬ 

ernization program. This is a war time Job that is Just as vital a part of the battle of 
production as any other. 

"The national administration is encouraging the renovation or conversion of existing 
structures because it offers an economical, quick way of producing dwelling space for war 
workers. President Roosevelt has advanced $100,000 from emergency funds to the Home Owners’ 
Loan Corporation so that the services of architects and technicians may be readily avail¬ 
able in all defense housing critical areas. The HOLC, in turn, has placed these architects 
and technicians at the disposal of Homes Registration Offices throughout the country. 

" _ (city) -home owners, with vacant space which can be turned into apart¬ 

ments, should apply to the Homes Registration Office. Technicians will be assigned to 
advise them on reconditioning possibilities, to give them cost estimates and estimate the 
revenues they can obtain from conversion. There is no charge for this architectural service. 


33 











Our Homes Aegistration Office will direct home owners to savings and loan associations and 
banks which are ready to speed this housing by making the necessary loans. 

"Further assistance in the form of plans, working drawings and supervision will be 
furnished, if property owners desire it, at a reasonable fee. These owners stand to bene¬ 
fit in several ways; first by the revenues from rents and second by the increased property 
value occasioned by renovation. 

"This is a Job that has to be done sooner or later in _ (city) _if our war 

workers are to be adequately accommodated and we must do our part as speedily as possible. 
The Homes Registration Office stands ready to lend every possible assistance in remodeling 
<9r converting all types of structures which show promise of adding to the present inade¬ 
quate supply of rental accommodations." 

Mr._ said his office is receiving five to ten inquiries a day 

from persons planning conversion work. He suggested that owners bring in a copy of their 
deed or land contract to show sub-division restrictions, lot size and coverage or other 
data so that work on their applications for free technical service may be expedited. 

(Localize this story and retype before release to news-papers) 

4. "Estimate of Conversion Possibilities * 

At least (estimated number) _property owners in _ (city) _have an 

opportunity to aid the war housing program and at the same time Increase their own revenues, 
***•_, director of the Homes Registration Office, declared today. 

"Preliminary surveys show that approximately (estimated numherl _families of 

war workers can be housed through utilizing the vacant space in these properties", said 

Mr. - . "Probably - % of the houses would have to be remodeled 

and modernized to some degree, but we've taken steps to help carry out such a program 
effectively. 

"Architects and technicians will be furnished free to give advice on converting vacant 

space into rooms and apartments for defense workers in _ (city) _ and vicinity. 

They will visit properties listed with us, investigate the possibilities of remodeling, 
make cost estimates and advise the owners on the probable revenues they can expect. There 
is no charge for this technical "diagnosis". 

Many key workers in —- (city _war industries cannot find homes for their fam¬ 

ilies and industry personnel officers are seriously perturbed about the situation, accord¬ 
ing to comments made by Mr. -, head of the local Defense Council. "The 

demand for accommodations, particularly housekeeping apartments is so urgent that remodeled 

quarters can be rented immediately," states Mr. _ . "The rents should 

repay all or more of the expense of making the improvements. Owners will be given advice 


- 34 















and help on financing and If they need plans and working drawings, and want supervision of 
the work, further technical assistance will be furnished at a reasonable fee." 

"The housing experts who will assist the Homes Registration Office will be furnished 
through the Home Owners' Loan Corporation, which has supervised the repair and recondition¬ 
ing of 550,000 homes. They know their business. 

There are many property owners in _ (city) _who have wanted to utilize the 

vacant space in their homes and buildings but haven’t known how to proceed. Technical 
advice is now available to them and they have a chance to help with the local housing pro¬ 
gram, as well as get new revenue from their extra space." 

The Homes Registration Office is located at_ (address) _. The Office 

lists all vacant rooms, apartments and houses for the convenience of war workers and their- 
families and has offered its cooperation to all industries which are bringing in new em¬ 
ployees. The conversion of presently unused space will enable the Homes Registration Of¬ 
fice to offer a wider choice of accommodations and will gladden the hearts of the house 
owner who sees two dollars of income rolling in where only one, or none, were to be seen 
before. 

(Localize this story and retype for release to local papers) 

5. Message by John B. Blandford, Jr., 

Administrator National Housing Agency 
to local Homes Registration Office 
Director 

John B. Blandford, Jr., Administrator of the National Housing Agency, has urged 

_ (city) _and all other cities in defense areas to convert all possible existing 

housing into units for war workers,_ , Director of the local 

Homes Registration Office, declared today. 

Although encouraging reports have been received from several cities on the amount of 
housing that has been furnished through conversion of existing facilities, Mr. Blandford 
feels that a far more comprehensive Job canbedone, according to Mr. , 

and he has asked that the_ (city) _enlist all civic groups in speeding up its 

program. 

_ (city) needs_housing units for war workers, according to 

Mr._, and he estimated that_ can be supplied through con¬ 

version. Mr. Blandford’8 statement follows: 

"In housing war workers,_ (city) 1 s first step should be to take 

the fullest possible advantage of existing facilities. Through an ln- 
tellegent and large scale reconditioning and conversion program, exist¬ 
ing homes can shelter many more families than they do now. 


- 35 - 












"Property which perhaps had not been profitable as single family dwell¬ 
ings may be converted into multi-family dwellings. Since the essential 
structural shell is already in existence, and the utilities already in 
place, the cost will be much lower and the use of critical materials 
much less than for comparable new quarters. 

"Moreover, conversion and reconditioning should help to maintain em¬ 
ployment in the building trades without competition with employment in 
essential defense industries, since many building workers, unsuited 
either by reason of their age or training, are shifting to mechanized 
factory work. 

"The conversion and reconditioning program undertaken by the (city) 

_Pomes Registration Office, and the arrangement whereby free 

technical service may be obtained by property owners through the co¬ 
operation of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation, is a step in the right 
direction and should be given wide-spread support by the entire city, 
including banking institutions, real estate agencies, transportation 
and utility companies, as well as builders and supply dealers. Perhaps 
in no other way can additional dwelling quarters be made available with 
greater economy in critical materials, labor and time than through the 
conversion method." 

The_ (city) _Homes Registration office, _ (address) _is receiving 

daily more than__applicants for housekeeping units and apartments and ____ 

for rooms. This demand assures that units created through reconditioning or conversion 
will be promptly rented. Owners are urged to apply in person for the free HOLC technical 
service so that full data on their properties may be transmitted to HOLC. 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspapers) 

6. Message by Homes Registration Division 
Director Howard Strong - - - 

Property owners in_ (city) as well as all other war production areas should 

take advantage of the architects and technicians who can be supplied by the_ (city) _ 

Homes Registration Office to help them remodel and modernize their homes, according to 
Howard Strong, director of the Homes Registration Division at Washington. 

In a message to_ _ __, director of the Homes 

Registration Office here, he declared that thousands of housing units can be furnished for 
war workers throughout the country by utilizing the vacant space in existing houses and 
other structures. But at the same time, he warned that experienced technical advice as¬ 
sured the best results. 

"There are many homes which can be converted to provide extra apartments and rooms 
with an increase in property values, as well as immediate revenue," said Mr. Strong in his 
message to the Homes Registration Office here. "However, changing over single family homes 
into multiple dwellings usually involves structural changes. These changes are more apt 
to be planned and executed properly when a seasoned technician has done the planning and 
supervised the Job. 


- 36 - 













"Fortunately, the Homes Registration Offices have been offered the aid of technicians 
of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation, an organization which has directed the reconditioning 
of 550,000 homes. The HOLC's salaried staff has been supplemented by other architects and 
technicians, who will be compensated through a grant of $100,000 from the President's emer¬ 
gency fund. 

"These technicians will inspect properties, advise on the possibilities of conversion, 
and estimate conversion costs and probable revenues that can be derived by property owners. 
These services are free to the public. 

"If property owners decide to go ahead, and need detailed plans and working drawings, 
and supervision of construction, further technical services will be provided at a reason¬ 
able fee. And our Homes Registration Offices will be glad to give advice on local sources 
of financing." 

___, director of the local Office, said that arrangements 

have been completed with HOLC officials here and that any property owner who is willing to 
utilize his vacant space in providing housing for war workers can apply at his office, 
(address J 

"We’ll give the most prompt service possible," said Mr.---• "Housing 

is needed for war workers now and conversion of existing houses offers the speediest and 
most economical way to do the Job." 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspaper) 

7. Statement by HOLC Regional 
Reconditioning Supervisor 

Support of the_ (city) __Homes Registration Office in its program to con¬ 
vert vacant houses and vacant space into homes for war workers was urged today by- 

_^reconditioning expert of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. 

He pledged free technical advice for all property owners who present plans for feasible 
remodeling Jobs to the Homes Registration Office. 

"Civic organizations, home-financing agencies and property owners themselves should 

cooperate in this effort," said Mr. _-• "In the first place, it'4 the 

speediest and most economical way in which to provide war housing. Second, it conserves 
community assets and prevents over-building during the emergency. And third, it often 
gives property owners an opportunity to derive revenue from structures which haveh't been 

paying for themselves. 

"In some cities, whole neighborhoods can be rehabilitated, thus halting a downward 
spiral in real estate prices. In such cities, tax authorities well may help in the effort, 

for tax revenues must be declining." 


- 37 













The process through which property owners can obtain expert technical guidance in 
rehabilitating and remodeling their structures was explained by Mr.___. 

"Apply to the local Homes Registration Office, at_ (address) _street, he 

said, "and if your property can be converted into unit* for war workers, you will be sent 
to anHOLC technician. That technician will advise you, without charge, on the feasibility 
of your ideas, discuss general plans, Estimate the cost of reconditioning, and attempt to 
figure out with you how much revenue can be derived through rent. 

"If you want detailed working drawings and supervision of construction, the technician 
will see that you are provided with them at a reasonable fee." 

Mr._added that the Homes Registration office would advise property 

owners as to means of obtaining financing for any properties which can provide additional 
housing units to help take care of the war workers now seeking homes in (city) _. 

As _ (tit leJ __of the regional office, Mr. __had a part in 

the vast HOLC program which resulted in the reconditioning of 550,000 .homes at an expenditure 
of $170,000,000. It was because of this experience that the National Housing Agency in 
Washington sought the cooperation of the HOLC. President Roosevelt granted $100,000 rroa 
his emergency funds to permit the HOLC to employ fee technicians to give free advdeatpprop¬ 
erty owners in sections where its own salaried staff could not handle the Job 

"The technicians who will be utilized are men who have had experience with the HOLC," 

said Mr._. "They know the problems of reconditioning and remodeling and 

know how to do the Job." 

Mr. _ and -, director of the_ (city) _ 

Homes Registration Office, reported that _applications for conversion already 

have been received and_now are being processed. They estimate that_ 

units are needed to house the war workers who will be employed here within the next 
_months. 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspapers) 

8. Statement by a prominent local architect . 

Effective cooperation in the battle of production through the use of substitutes for 

building materials on the critical list was urged today by Mr._ 

_of the architectural firm of_. 

Suggesting 21 types of substitutes which can be used in reconditioning and repair 


- 38 



















work, Mr._---asked local architects, contractors and builders for "inge¬ 

nuity and resourcefulness in adding to the list". 

"This list of substitutes was prepared by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Every 
day brings some new idea as to how to by-pass the use of metals and other materials that 
must, in the interest of speed and efficiency, go into our war effort. HOLC suggests the 
use of wood (fir and swamp cypress) for eaves, gutters and downspouts; wood frames instead 
of metal for screens; wood sash instead of metal sash. 

"HOLC also advises composition flashing instead of copper or galvanized metal; masonry 
piers where we might have preferred the lally columns of concrete-filled pipe; thicker 
concrete walls where steel reinforcing would permit thinner ones; soapstone or concrete 
laundry tubs in lieu of enameled iron; vitreous ware plumbing fixtures instead of enameled 
cast iron or formed metal." 

Stressing the fact that it is still possible to recondition or convert homes despite 

material shortages Mr._.stated that the HOLC list of substitutes is being 

followed in the reconditioning program which that agency is carrying forward in cooperation 
with the local Homes Registration Office. Under this plan property owners are being urged 
to renovate or convert unused space to supply needed accommodations for war workers. The 
HOLC is furnishing free technical advice to owners who apply to the Homes Registration Of¬ 
fice. This free advice includes inspection of the property, sketches of the changes if 
necessary, and estimates of the costs of doing the Job. 

"We realize, of course, that the use of critical materials cannot be avoided at all 

times," said Mr.__, "but it is hoped that substitutes can be widely 

utilized. Although priority ratings may be obtained for housing projects necessary to the 
war effort, yet^in general repair materials may be secured more promptly if we keep in mind 
the present scarcity of aluminum, copper, nickel, steel, chromium, zinc and other critical 
materials. 

"The HOLC Reconditioning Section has directed the repair of more than 550,000 homes, 
at a cost ot $170,000,000, in the past several years. Under the war housing program, an 
HOLC technician will be assigned to aid anyone certified by a local Homes Registration Of¬ 
fice as owner of a property which has vacant space which can be converted into housing 
units for war workers. This service is provided without charge." 

Property owners seeking advice on reconditioning or conversion can qualify for free 

technical service by applying at the_ (city) _Homes Registration Office, 

_ (address) _or by requesting an application form by mail or phone." 


- 39 












(Localize and retype before submitting to newspapers) 

9. Conversion example - remodeling a one 
family house into three apartments 

The year 1942 will see the come-back of many properties which apparently were well on 
their way toward obsolescence, building and real estate authorities predict. 

A striking example of what can, and Is being done In (city) _is the conver¬ 

sion Job illustrated on this page. This old fashioned three story house is located on the 

_side of_ (city) _. It fetched its owner Mr._, 

a monthly rental of $_. The owner applied at the _Homes Reg¬ 

istration Office where the property was studied with respect to its conversion possibilities. 
The Homes Registration Office then authorized the HOLC to have a fee architect inspect the 
property, prepare preliminary conversion sketches and estimates of costs at no charge to 
the owner. 

The final plans drawn upbyMr. _, architect, provided 

for an apartment on each floor thus creating three living units where only one existed 
before. 

"This conversion project is an excellent example of what hundreds of_ ( city) 

_home owners can accomplish with their properties and not only provide themselves 

with an income, but contribute to the battle of production by providing modern rental hous¬ 
ing for war workers," Mr._, supervisor of the Homes Registration 

Office here said today. Instead of receiving $_a month on his property, Mr. 

_now has a choice of $_or a top of $ _if he 

furnishes heat and light to his tenants, yet the rents are modest. The smaller apartment 
rents for $_, the larger unit for $_. 

"We will be glad to aid other_home owners in planning similar con¬ 

version work at no charge for the initial technical diagnosis." 

A vast offensive on the "home" front is needed to provide accommodations for war work¬ 
ers. Shortages in materials and labor and lack of transportation daily grows more acute. 
Consequently, a large portion of the housing needed here will have to be produced by more 
intensive use of existing structures. Remodeling and reconditioning has been exempted from 
the recent WPB "Stop-Construction" order and an A-5 preference rating for the necessary 
critical materials was assigned to deliveries for these remodeling operations. These pro¬ 
jects will no longer be counted against the local or overall priorities quotas. 

"WPB assures high priority rating for the necessary materials because obviously such 
conversion work means considerable savings in time, labor and critical metals in comparison 


- 40 



















with complete new building Jobs. Local home financing institutions stand ready to make 
the loans and the Homes Registration Office will provide free technical guidance to pro¬ 
spective remodelers," stated Mr._. 

An intensive drive to step up the rate of conversion and reconditioning is under way in 
all war production areas. Free planning guidance from HOLC technicians can be obtained by 
making application at the —__Homes Registration Office,_ (address) _ . 

(Localize this story and retype before release to netuspafierl 

10. Remodeling loans can be exempted from credit 

restrictions imposed by Regulation "If" 

It was explained today by Mr._ , Director of the_ 

Homes Registration Office, that although remodeling loans are subject to the credit re¬ 
strictions Issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under the title 

"Consumer Credit - Regulation W", such loans can quickly be exempted from the credit re¬ 
strictions if the property to be reconditioned or converted is located within an officially 
designated Defense Housing Critical Area and provided the proposed reconditioning will in¬ 
crease the number of habitable dwelling units or is immediately essential for habitation 

and the units thus obtained are suitable and available to war workers. 

"Owners desiring to repair or remodel properties should proceed to obtain financing 

in the usual way," said Mr._. "The lending agency will apply for the 

necessary exception to Regulation "W" if such is required." Mr._pointed out 

that applications for exception under the credit regulation will be granted if the proposed 
Job meets the following requirements: 

(a) The project muse be located in a Defense Housing Critical Area 

within walking or cycling distance (but not in any event, exceed¬ 
ing two miles) of (a) the war activities it is intended to serve, 
or (b) adequate public transportation already operating or abso¬ 
lutely certain to be placed in operation in time to serve the pro¬ 
ject. The cost per round trip shall not exceed 40^ bn the cheapest 
available basis, and the running time shall not exceed two hours 
per round trip. • ' 

(b) The project must provide additional living accommodations suitable 
for military personnel or war workers, and reasonable preference 
in occupancy must be given persons engaged in military or war 
production activities. This additional space may be created either 
by division of present living space into units which will accom¬ 
modate more persons or if the number of dwelling units is not in¬ 
creased, the construction must be immediately essential to habi¬ 
tation. 

(c) The accommodations created by this work must rent or sell, during 
the war period, at prices not in excess of reasonable prices for 
the type of housing accommodations offered. In any case, the 


- 41 









monthly shelter rent cannot exceed $50 per dwelling unit, nor can 
the sales price exceed $6000 per single family structure. 

(Shelter rent is defined as a rent paid for shelter only 
and is derived by taking the total rent paid or asked 
and deducting the cost of such services as water, elec¬ 
tricity, heat, gas, Janitor service, garage space, or 
furniture if included.) 

(d) The lending institution shall require of the borrower a signed 
statement in good faith to the effect that the project meets the 
above defense housing requirements. 

If a preference rating is needed to obtain materials on the critical list the owner 
should apply for this rating before the matter of financing is taken up with the lending 
institution. Priority application forms are available at local offices of the Federal 
Housing Administration or at any bank, home financing institution or building supply dealer. 

It was pointed out that the_Homes Registration Office, working in 

conjunction with government housing agencies, is encouraging remodeling and rehabilitation 
to Increase the supply of low rental housing suitable to the needs and within the Income 
of workers in war industries. Approval of the priorities application will be expedited if 
such application is accompanied by evidence that the proposed work is approved by the local 
Homes Registration Office. 

(Localize this story and retype before release to newspaper) 

11. Priorities Assistance - WPB regulations 

definitely permit reconditioning and remodel¬ 
ing that will supply needed war housing. 

Although the War Production Board recently tightened its priorities requirements these 
restrictions apply mainly to construction in non-war areas and were designed to eliminate 
"non-defense and non-essential" projects. Remodeling and reconditioning that will supply 
needed war housing is definitely permitted. Priority authorities will look with favor on 
remodeling projects which will make available additional dwelling units at rentals workers 
can afford to pay, which are accessible to war plants by foot or existing lines of public 
transportation, and which have been stripped of all non-essential critical materials. 

"Specific provisions to facilitate reconditioning and conversion were 
issued by WPB on April 10, 1942 in the form of Preference Rating Order 

P-110, " statedMr._, Director of the_ 

Homes Registration Office. "Under this order, an A-5 preference rat¬ 
ing is granted for critical materials needed for repairing, remodeling 
and converting structures which will create additional accommodations 
for military personnel or war workers at reasonable rentals." 


Mr. 


explained that full information on WPB priority procedures and 


- 42 






the necessary forms can be obtained at the local office of the Federal Housing Administration. 

If the estimated total cost of a repair or remodeling Job is under 
$500 and the materials are already on hand the builder or owner may 
proceed as usual without WPB permission and without filing papers with 
anj( federal agency. If critical materials are needed and suppliers 
require a priorities rating, form PD-406 should be completed, signed 
by the builder, certified by the owner and filed with FHA. Such ap¬ 
plication, if approved by FHA and recommended to WPB, will be granted 
an A-5 preference rating. 

"On Jobs over $500 the cost of the critical materials is the limiting 
factor rather than the overall cost of the Job. In short, Jobs cost¬ 
ing $1000, $3000 or even $5000 or more can qualify for priorities if 
the cost of the critical materials Involved does not exceed an average 
of $100 per room for each dwelling unit and the cost of the scarce 
materials per struoture does not exceed $800. Accommodations created 
by this oonstruotion must rent or sell during the war period at prices 
set forth in the approved application. In no case can the shelter 
r«nt exoeed $50 per dwelling unit, nor can the sales price exceed 
$6000 per single family structure. Form PD-406 also applies on pro¬ 
jects in this category. 

"Additional low rental accommodations are urgently needed in (dtp } 

_and vicinity. Even if the cost of critical materials appar¬ 
ently exceeds the limit under P-110 perhaps the Job may qualify for 
priorities under one of the several WPB rating orders. The main con¬ 
sideration is that the work will produce the particular type of ac¬ 
commodations so urgently needed here, at rentals war workers can afford 
to pay. FHA will advise on the proper procedure to qualify such spe¬ 
cial Jobs." 

According to comments by local FHA officials, applications can be speeded if projects 
are stripped of all non-essential critical materials at the time plans and specifications 
are being prepared. 

"Critical materials must be conserved in all projects and applicants 
will facilitate WPB action by cutting the use of such materials to a 
minimum before the project comes to the FHA office," 

stated Mr._, local FHA representative. 

Property owners desiring to remodel, recondition o.* convert should apply in person for 
free technical service at the Homes Registration Office_ (address ) _ . Techni¬ 

cians will be assigned to advise on reconditioning possibilities, to estimate not only cost 
of doing the w^rk, but also the revenues that can be expected from conversion. There is 
no charge for this architectural service, according to Mr._local HRO Director. 


- 43 






















































RADIO SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS 


The housewife is being asked to save her "pound or two of scrap to lick the heathen 
Jap." Home owners likewise can "slap a Jap" by finishing off an unused floor into an 
apartment or by otherwise converting unused space to supply accommodations for families of 
war workers who urgently need a place to live. Owners can obtain free advice from HOLC 
technicians, experienced in the reconditioning of more than half a million homes, by apply¬ 
ing at the-Homes Registration Office (phone) _ . This office is 

located at_ ( address) _, 


it # # # # 


Maybe the horse won't come back because of the tire shortage but in 1942 the old, 
neglected house is certainly going to stage a comeback. If you own a house which perhaps 
has outlived its usefulness as a single family dwelling it may be possible to convert it 

into two or even three apartments. The_Homes Registration Office is 

receiving daily more than_applications for housekeeping units for families of 

war workers. Rooms are also in great demand. Satisfactory accommodations therefore can 
be quickly rented. Architects and technicians will investigate the possibilities of re¬ 
modeling, make cost estimates and advise you on the probable revenues you can expect from 

rent. This free service is available at the-Homes Registration Office 

_ (address ) __. Call there in person. 

tt # It it # 


Uncle Sam needs all the material he can get for ships, planes, tanks, guns and muni¬ 
tions. Producing the tools of modern war means manpower - manpower means housing. The 

property owners in_can help immeasurably to conserve vital materials 

if all existing housing is put to maximum use and fewer new homes are required for war 

workers. Right now in_ (city) _the Homes Registration Office needs_ 

apartments to accommodate local war workers. 


If there are portions of your house which get very little use, this unused space might 
be replanned to provide an extra room or even a two room apartment. Larger partially oc¬ 
cupied homes can often be remodeled into two, three or even four apartment units. If your 

house has possibilities get in touch with the_Homes Registration Office 

today. Planning service and estimates of cost will be furnished at no charge provided the 

living accommodations to be created will be made available for war workers. Phone- 

_today. 


# * # <t # 


- 44 















(radio spot announcements - cont'd) 


If you have surplus room in your home which can be converted into an apartment you can 

help relieve the acute housing shortage in_ (city) _. Trained HOLC technicians 

thoroughly conversant with what can and cannot be done under present priority regulations 
will tell you if the work is feasible and estimate costs for you. This service is furnished 
at no charge. The revenue you may derive will probably be sufficient to pay taxes and 
operating expenses and to retire any loan that may be required to do the work. 

Call your Homes Registration Office_ (Phone) _ . 

* $ $ * # 

Civic groups are mobilizing local housing resources to make sure that accommodations 

for war workers in_ (city) _won’t be "too little, too late". Home owners can 

help win the battle of production by enlisting in this effort now. Fix up extra space and 
list it with the Homes Registration Office. Finish off that unused third or fourth floor 
into war workers’ apartments. Free architectural advice and estimates of costs can be 

obtained at the_ (city) _Homes Registration Office _ (Phone and address) _. 

Call there today. 

# * $ # 

_ (city) _needs homes for war workers and their families I Have you a 

spare room or apartment that you're not using? Have you vacant space that can be converted 
into an apartment to house a war worker's family? If this space can be converted through 
remodeling or modernization, you can get expert technical advice free by calling the 

_ (city) _Homes Registration Office, (Phone number) _ . Free advice 

on financing also is available. You will be doing an effective part in the war program by 
providing a home for a war worker's family - and you may derive some needed revenue for 

yourself. Call_ (j>hone number ) _or drop in at the Homes Registration Office at 

(address ). 


$ $ $ o $ 


Home owners who will repair and modernize their homes to make extra rooms and apart¬ 
ments for war workers and their families can get free advice from housing and recondition¬ 
ing experts. Costs estimates also will be furnished without charge, together with advice 
on financing. Call the_ .(city) _Homes Registration Office, (phone number) 


a o n> * >> 
- 45 - 














(radio spot announcements - cont'd) 


The demand for apartments for war workers is urgent. Why not convert your extra space 
into an apartment for a war worker’s family and add to your income? Expert planning advice 

is free - and so is advice on financing. Call the_ (city) _Homes Registration 

Office,_ (phone number) _ . 

* * * * * 

You probably know that war workers need homes in (city) _. Perhaps you have a 

vacant third floor or other spaoe that can be converted into an apartment but don't know 
how to go about it. Expert technical advice on planning is available to you free. 80 is 

advice on financing. Call the Homes Registration Office,_ (phone number) _. 

* * * * * 


Do you want to know how to convert the vacant space in your home into an apartment 
which will house a war worker's family - and bring you some revenue? An expert on housing 
will advise you without charge. You also can get free advice on financing by calling the 

_ (city) _Homes Registration Office, _ ( thone number ) _, or stopping 

by the office, at_ (address ) _. 

* * * # $ 


Everyone's asking "what can I do to help win the war?" Well here's the answer, as 
far as home owners are concerned. They can help by making sure that the war workers needed 
to wage the battle of production will have places to live. If you have unused rooms or 
space which can be made into an apartment get free technical advice on how to repair and 
modernize your property to waxe a home for a war worker's family - Phone the Homes Regis¬ 
tration Office (thone number ) , or call at the office, - (address) -. 

# # $ * * 


Low priced two and three room apartments are needed right now for the families of 
(number) war workers who will be here by--> local housing 


to $. 


officials announced today. These families can pay from $- 

a month in rent. Mayor.___ha. asked owners of large houses to convert un- 


C address) 


will 


used space into apartments. The Homes Registration Office at- 

furnish technical advice by local architects at no charge. Get an idea today of the cost 
- it may mean extra dollars to invest in War Bonds and Stamps. 

* # v v * 

- 46 - 







































































YOU can RENT an APARTMENT! 


EXTRA INCOME - • ■ by WEEK or MONTH Is Yours! 

In Your Own Home—Your Present Home 


\200 Lw-Pnted' 

Small 
deeded ior Officers 

1 . , and two-n 


★REMODEL! 


★EXPAND! 


I ^.priced 

\srs5ffi.*Rrar5i 

Isioned Lieutenant G. 

by ***** n$ngo&«f lor Ca ^ P 

Bodme, biueu * urs day. .1 

Chaffee, ^VSrgent," *aid the 
; “The need to ^ e9e men wffl 
billeting office^- rc than $16 \ 

be unable to pay They cant] 

te vill 

is P^ u h.pi“' “As 

dishes and hang a n 4 table 

Give them a be ■ bathroo m. 1 
__the use of tne ^ q root ns into 
“Or convert pn ts. Re n ^ a \ 

l \ offi cer * h c b ut P no higher. ThJ $1 0 6 f \ 

can pay- * * eiI , 

i “Some of the offers hildre n.\ 

drssr^**■ u pnM5 \ 

that many ggj to houses were 

1 W"* C V S>»*«« « 01 

) calling Camp „ U 1.1 

\, W ^h. P rc f 0 r f lS r r’S t»a Home 


77)e Article at Left Is Reprinted From The 
Times Record of February 26,1942 - - - 

. IT IS OFFICIALI 

If You Own Your Home-Want to Help 
Uncle Sam-and Can Use Extra Money 
-It Should Be of Vital Interest to You! 


Your Local Fadaral Saving* & Loan Association Can 
Quite Likely Furnish You the Money You Need to Ex¬ 
pand or Remodel... See Them at Once! 

ACT QUICKLY 


FIRST 

FEDERAL SAVINGS ft LOAN ASSOCIATION 

STANDARD 

FEDERAL SAVINGS k LOAN ASSOCIATION 


PEOPLES 

FEDERAL SAVINGS ft LOAN ASSOCIATION 

SUPERIOR 

FEDERAL SAVINGS ft LOAN ASSOCIATION 


- 47 






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Committee Will Assist 
Property Owners In 
Conversion Program 


Free Technical Services Offered To 
Public By Municipal And 
Federal Agencies 

By JAMES G. MILLER 
Real Estate Editor 


A campaign to provide at least 2500 new rental housing 
units for the Pittsburgh district will be launched tomorrow 
when the Build For Victory Committee opens a downtown 
office. 

The committee is composed of more than a score of 
leaders in the real estate, building, banking, industrial and 
housing fields. They have been working for a number of 
weeks on plans to assist home owners to speedily remodel 
and convert the old and large single-family residences into 

multiple-family dwellings. 

All committee members serve 
without pay except the director. 


Post Gazette (I) 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Housing Group 
To Open Office 

Build for Victory 1 * 

Unit to Aid Owners 

The Allegheny county "Build 
for Victory" Committee will open 
headquarters Monday on the 
ground floor of 337 Fourth avenue, 
it was announced yesterday by 
Albert A. Murrer, committee 
chairman. 

Working in conjunction with the 
office of the National Defense 
Housing co-ordinator, it is the 
committee's aim to produce 4,000 
or more rental housing units by 
conversion or remodeling existing 
houses in the county’s war produc¬ 
tion areas. 

John S. Turner, director of the 
Building Industry’s Council, will 
serve as director of the "Build 
for Victory" campaign, and will 
advise owners of single-family 
dwellings on how they can convert 
their property into rental units. 

"The committee.” Mr. Turner 
said, will give every possible as¬ 
sistance to home owners who wish 
to transform their houses into 
multiple dwellings. Those owners 
whose properties meet our re¬ 
quirements will be granted pre¬ 
ferred priorities for materials and 
assistance in financing the cost,” 


The work of the Build For Vic¬ 
tory Committee is to combine and 
consolidate many services of exist¬ 
ing Federal and municipal agencies 
here, thereby making it easier for 
owners to quickly convert and pro¬ 
duce much-needed rental units lor 
defense workers. 

Office space for the committee 
has been provided by the Union 
Trust Co. at 337 Fourth Ave. 

The committee is working with 
the Defense Housing Co-ordinator's 
office, the Home Owners’ Loan Corp. 
and the Home Registration office 
here, and. acting as & clearing house, 
will make available technical as¬ 
sistance to owners interested m 
converting their old properties. 

* * * 

In some cases where reaming of 
certain areas is needed for the con¬ 
version project, the committee will 
ask aid of Mayor Scully and de¬ 
partmental heads in the city who 
have already pledged their co¬ 
operation. 

"Federal housing officials report a 
critical need for rental units in this 
area for war production purposes 
and have made a number of serv¬ 
ices available at no co6t to the 
property owner." Albert A. Murrer. 
chairman of the committee, said 
yesterday. 

"The committee has been set up 
to consolidate these services at one 
point and to provide efficient help 
in making the preliminary financial 
study of the project as to economic 
soundness and to open the door for 
technical help." 

* * • 


Conversion Groups Gets 
Applications for 200 Units 

Assistance for Financing Will Be Given by Committee 
When HOLC Approves Projects 


In snite of bad weather and record-breaking: snowfall a sufficient 
lumber of persons applied at the Build for Victory 
own office during the past week to provide over 200 new rental housing 

^ The SmiSi^To^re^tef'and convert large, old-styied dwellings 
nto multiple-family units to quickl y furnish rental quarters for defense 
rorkers here was launched Just last - , ^e-famlly homes 

londay when offices were opened owners 01 -- 


t 337 Fourth Ave. 

John 8. Turner, director of the 
unpaign. said yesterday that the 
ouses offered for conversion into 


in Allegheny County 'bould Inves¬ 
tigate the possibility and means ol 
turning their houses Into apart¬ 
ments and duplexes. There Is a 


, f an iiarv uvvi* *-- 

>e Home Owners Loan Corporation 
inspection by the HOL/3 tech- 


use, offered lor conversion Intottr financial gain 
ital units were of a particularly gr PP^ w lor the owners of 
*£e£ef£ “ lal P-Perty available for 


-— _ ^oT wont to make it clear, however, 

• inspection by the HOLC tech- 1 the Build for Victory Commit- 

:al staff. When approved by HOLG “ accept applications that 

* owners will be notified and ^ °U> U nlts^ renting for $50 or 

distance in financing the conver- wM create urnw e T 

n work will be given the owners less- m pg granted on 

the Build for Victory committee materials once the commlt- 

'We are more than pleased with crit * the remodeling or con- 

r results during the flratweek. f ^ particular property. 

:. Turner said. "Despite bad version o. * 

ather, we .received many more d Jor vlctory committee 

plications than we expected and ODeraUD g in conjunction with the 

0f the Federal Defense HM- 

owner„ wno warn, vo . Co . or dlnator. Its aim Is to pro¬ 
duce over 2000 additional housing 
units In Allegheny County, where 
an acute shortage of homes renting 
for $50 or less now exists. 

The committee Is headed by Albert 
A. MWrer. a past president of the 
Mttetourgh Real Mate Board. 


wilts wxassv —— 

into apartments and 


eir houses 
iplexes. 


"These applicants believe, as we 
>. that they will have no trouble 
ntlng their newly-created housing 


Poet (tesatta (I) 
Plttatrargh, Pa. 


Any owner interested in convert¬ 
ing his property should apply at 
the committee office at 337 Jtmrth 
Ave. A preliminary investigation 
will disclose whether the conversion 
is feasible. 

A large mortgage on an old house 
does not necessarily make the con¬ 
templated conversion financially un¬ 
sound. the committee points out. 

If the application is approved. 
HOLC architects then make rough 
sketches of the proposed job, with 
the approximate cost. The appli¬ 
cant is not charged for this service. 

It the property owner is still in¬ 
terested in converting his property 
into a multiple-dwelling he is at 
liberty, of course, to engage his own 
architect and contractor and ar¬ 
range his own financing or he may 
instruct the HOLC and the Build 
For Victory Committee to handle 
the entire project for him. 

This they do at minimum expense 
FHA-insured loans mav be obtained 
for the work under Title I. Loans 
up to $5000 must be repaid in 
regular monthly installments in five 
years or less. Loans for $2500 and 
less must be repaid in three years 
or less. 

* * * 

Any rental housing units that are 
provided under this program must 
rent for not more than $50 a month 
under a ruling from Washington. 
This, however, does not include 
heat or utilities. 

Approved projects will be cleared 
and ready for construction within 
10 days of application, the commit¬ 
tee predicts, and construction should 
move along without delay because 
Washington officials have granted 
top priority ratings for this type of 
work. 

"Every municipality in the Pitts¬ 
burgh area should understand that 
these services are available." Mr. 
Murrer explains. "Some of the most 
critical rental housing situations 
are in the vicinity of war produc¬ 
tion plants outside the city limits. 
This office is set up to help prop¬ 
erty owners everywhere in this dis¬ 
trict." • 

♦ * * 

Serving on the committee with 
Mr. Murrer are: A. H. Burchfield, 
Jr., Ralph H. Richards. S E. 
Kovach, Jr.. John B. McCrady. John 
Kineman. E. Bruce Hill,* Edward F. 
Kunde. C. C. Satmary. Nelson S. 
Martin. R. J. Siebert. C. H. Lynch. 
John Powell, Wilson S. Borland. 

Others on the committee include 
Otto Cossler. George H. Herb. Oak¬ 
ley W. Heselbarth. James F. O’Con¬ 
nor. Edwin Yoe. Jr. and representa¬ 
tives of the Pittsburgh and Alle¬ 
gheny County Planning Commis¬ 
sions and the City's Bureau of 
Building Inspection. 

The group will maintain an office 
and continue to operate for at least 
six months. John S. Turner, of the 
Building Industry's Council, has 
been named director. 


catx WR ? -194? 


Many Respond 
To Victory 
Building Plan 

Means Made Available 
For Converting Homes 
Into Multiple Units 

A flank attack on the housing 
problem In the Pittsburgh area 
through provision of new housing 
units by conversion of existing 
properties is being led by the Build 
tor Victory committee which 
>pened a headquarters at 337 
Fourth avenue this week. 

Ready response to the efforts of 
the committee was indicated by 
the first day’s activity, when ap¬ 
plications for conversion of resi¬ 
dential properties which will pro¬ 
vide 46 units were received. The 
committee, working in conjunc¬ 
tion with the national defense 
housing co-ordinator, seeks to pro¬ 
vide 4.000 or more rental housing 
units in the war production area 
of Allegheny county by altera¬ 
tions to existing properties. 

Architects Are Ready 

Any owner interested in con¬ 
verting his property to provide 
multiple units renting for $50 or 
less may apply at the committee 
headquarters. If the application 
is approved. Home Owners Loan 
Corporation architects will make 
rough sketches of the proposed 
changes, and estimate the approx¬ 
imate cost. If he wishes to go 
through with the work he may 
engage the architect and contrac¬ 
tor and arrange his own financing, 
or he can instruct the HOLC and 
the Build for Victory committee 
to handle the project for him. 

John S. Turner, director of the 
Building Industry’s Coungil. has 
been named director for the com¬ 
mittee. The committee consists 
of Albert A. Murrer, chairman; A. 
H. Burchfield, Jr., Ralph H. Rich¬ 
ards, S. E. Kovach. Jr., John B. 
McCrady, John Kineman, E. Bruce 
Hill, Edward F. Kunde, C. C. Sat¬ 
mary, Nelson S. Martin, R. J. Sie¬ 
bert. C. H. Lynch, John Powell, 
Wilson S. Borland. Otto Cossler. 
George H. Herb, Oakley W. Hesel¬ 
barth, James F. O’Connor, Edwin 
Yoe, Jr., and Councilman George 
E. Evans. 

Representatives of the Pitts¬ 
burgh and Allegheny County plan¬ 
ning commissions and the city bu¬ 
reau of building inspection serve 
on the committee also. 


HOLC Expert Asks 
Support of Drive 
For Defense Homes 

Technical Advice, Fed¬ 
eral Loans for Remod¬ 
eling Pledged by Recon¬ 
ditioning Expert 

Support of the Waco homei reg¬ 
istration office In its program to 
convert vacant hoUses and vacant 
epaee Into homes for defense work¬ 
ers was urged by Charles W. Oli¬ 
ver, Dallas, reconditioning expert 
of the home owners’ loan corpo¬ 
ration, In a conference with local 
officials Saturday morning. 

Oliver pledged free technical 
advice for all property owneri who 
present plans for feasible remod¬ 
eling Jobs to the homee registra¬ 
tion office, 414-A Franklin ave¬ 
nue. 

Should Help Plan 
“Civic organizations, home-fi¬ 
nancing agencies and property 
owners themselves should cooper¬ 
ate in this effort." Oliver said. "In 
the first place, it's the speediest 
and most economical way in which 
to provide defense housing. Sec¬ 
ond. It conserves community as¬ 
sets and prevents over-building 
during the emergency. And third, 
It often gives property owners an 
opportunity to derive revenue from 
Structure which haven’t been pay¬ 
ing for themselves. 


Oliver met with me executive 
Committee of the homes registra¬ 
tion office. He explained how the 
home owners’ loan corporation, 
through Its Dallas regional office, 
would cooperate with the local 
HR office, whereby home owners 
wishing to remodel or recondition 
their homes to accommodate de¬ 
fense workers, may, under cer¬ 
tain circumstancee, secure free 
technical guidance, including plan¬ 
ning assistance and cost estimates. 
It Is pointed out that this is not 
s program for making available 
cash or loans for remodeling, but 
rather for providing free of charge 
technical advice on the feasibility 
of remodeling properties. Estab, 
llshed lending agencies, building 
»nd loan associations, banks or 
other mortgage lending institu¬ 
tions will be the sources of credit 


The homes regis- 
itlon office will serve as a ro¬ 
ving center for requeete for re¬ 
veling assistance, and will lift 
plications and recommend prop- 
tiee to be inspected by the HOLC 
:hnicfans. After applications 
ve been reviewed by the homes 
glstratlon office, those warrant- 
g Inspection will be referred to 
e HOLC reconditioning section, 
gional office, Dallas, who will 
ske available free advice and 
st estimates. 

As reconditioning supervisor of 
e Dallas regional office, Oliver 
id • part in the vast HOLC 
ogram which resuted in the re- 
ndtttoning of 550,000 homes at 
i expenditure of $170,000,000. It 
m because of this experience 
at the defense housing coordlna- 
r In Washington sought the eft 
leratlon of the HOLC in the eoh- 
•rsion program under his homes 
glstratlon division. 


Help Offered 
Home Owners 
In Expansion 


Registration Office Cites 
Improbability of Contin¬ 
ued New Buildings. 


Faced with almost a complete 
stoppage of home construction in 
this city through national defense 
requirements, the Homes Registra¬ 
tion office here has provided pro¬ 
fessional aid for property owners, 
who wish to remodel their houses 
to provide additional space fo* ten¬ 
ants. 

Edward V. Foley, director of ihe 
registration office, said yesterday 
that during 1941 approximately 1,- 
000 new homes were constructed in 
and around New Haven by private 
capital. Because of the placing of 
many building materials on a re¬ 
stricted list, it will be next to im¬ 
possible to build this year, it was 
stated. 

Free Service 

The registration office has esti¬ 
mated at least 500 property owners 
have sites suitable for remodeling 
or development to house addition¬ 
al persons or small families. Foley 
said "preliminary surveys show that 
approximately 1,009 families can be 
housed through uth>*.i$.g the vacant 
space in these properties. Probably 
all of the houses wou'd have to be 
remodeled and modernized to some 
degree, but we’ve taken steps to 
help carry out such a program ef¬ 
fectively. 

"Architects and technicians will 
be furnished free to give advice on 
converting vacant space into rooms 
and apartments in New Haven and 
vicinity. They will visit properties 
listed with us, investigate the pos¬ 
sibilities of remodeling, make cost 
etsimates and advise the owners on 
the probable revenues they can ex¬ 
pect. The housing experts will be 
furnished through the Home Own¬ 
ers’ Loan Corporation, which has 
supervised the repair and recondi¬ 
tioning of 550,000 homes. 

"Property owners will have lo 
stand the expense of recondition¬ 
ing, and will receive their reim¬ 
bursement from rent of theretofore 
unused property. They will also be 
given advice and help on financ¬ 
ing,’’ Foley said. The registration 
office is located in 152 Temple 
street, where all vacant rooms and 
apartments are listed for the con¬ 
venience of New Haven workers 
and their families. 

Several sections of the city are 
restricted by property deeds from 
utilizing third floor space, and it is 
expected that some effort will be 
made to remodel and utilize such. 
The building department will coop¬ 
erate i nevery way to make It pos¬ 
sible for home owners to use all 
available space. 


Shortage of Homes 

A recent survey showed there 
Is definitely an Impending short¬ 
age of desirable homes for defense 
workers here, but It has been 
pointed out that this shortage pos¬ 
sibly can be met by developing 
and utilizing all existing housing 
resources in this defense housing 
area to provide homes for the 
workers. F. H. Carney, industrial 
and trade development secretary 
of the Waco Chamber of Com¬ 
merce. who Is director of the local 
HR office. Most of these housing 
requirements will be those needed 
to accommodate army air school 
and glass factory personnel and 
Vheir families, It was pointed out. 

"Remodeling of residential prop¬ 
erties can be a significant phase 
of this program, since It may be 
undertaken so as to Increase the 
housing supply by adding dwelling 
units at less expenditure In ma¬ 
terials and labor and with great¬ 
er speed than Is required to build 
new residences." said J. M. Nash, 
president of the Waco Real Es¬ 
tate board. 

The HOLC office will consider 
applications from Its borrowers for 
reconditioning their properties to 
house defense workers, and each 
auch application will necessarily 
be considered on the basis of Its 
Individual merits. 

Any property owner desiring to 
remodel or recondition his home 
to provide additional space for de¬ 
fense workers can obtain further 
information In connection with 
this free technical advice and cost 
astimates by contacting Carney at 
414-A Franklin avenua. 


- 49 - 















‘TWILIGHT HOMES 
REMODELING EASY 


Housing Authority and OPM Give Right Of 
Way on Modernizing and Making More 
Units for Defense Workers 


Memphis Housing Authority announced today It Is ready 
to receive applications for remodeling the city's "twilight" 
residences under the new FHA easy payment, "rebuild for 
defense" plan. 

It also announced that the U. S. Division of Defense 
Housing Cu-Ordlhatlon has'- a - 


appointed Lawrence M. Rier, 
Memphis civil engineer, its 
priorities repiesentative in 
Memphis, estaollshing the di¬ 
vision's first office la this city. 
This office will participate ill the 
"rebuild for defense" program. 

"THIS la breaking the lee 1ft our 
remodeling proiect " said Joe Fow¬ 
ler. director of Memphis Housing 
Authority. 

Memphis’ program is being 
watched by the whole country AS A 
test to see what can be ddtie else¬ 
where, said B. W. HOrner chief of 
Federal Housing Adffiifllltratloft 1ft 
Tennsssee. 


Named to Aid 
Homes Repair 
Project Here 

HOLC Senior Reconditioning 
Inspector to Be Here on 


Five Y»fs t« fay 

More than A month Ago rHA 
announced it would eoneentrAte on 
remodeling of Old homes to make 
them liveable Again or to inereAse 
the number of family units within 
them. It reported the amount of 
the load it would guarantee on 
each job would he increased to 
$5000 and that for jobs costing 
more than $1000, borrowers could 
have as long as five years to pay. 

FHA specified that the re¬ 
modeled home must he suitable for 
defense housing, for the project is 
designed to provide mors homes 
for defense workers. Remodeling 
a house, FHA pointed out, takes 
less critical war materials than 
building of a new house. The job 
can be done for less money end in 
lest time. 

To Memphis the plan meant a 
chance to make the old houses of 
the "twilight” area, choking the 
city’s business center and forcing 
the nicer residential district far 
into the suburbs, into bright, com* 
fortable, income-bearing residences 
again. 

Washington interested 
Memphis’ rehabilitation program 
got under way yesterday with three 
important meetings of housing peo¬ 
ple. 

The Cltlsens’ Houeing Committee 
<’ termlned the procedure that would 
be undertaken. The commutes is 
authorised by the Home Owners 
Loan Corporation to handle appli¬ 
cations for remodeling of homes 
temporarily until a Memphis homes 
registration office le established. 
The committee paesed on this han¬ 
dling of applications to the Mem¬ 
phis Housing Authority. 

The MHA meeting, in turn, ac¬ 
cepted the responsibility. 

City Offers Inspectors 
Mr. Fowler met with Mayor 
chandler and Commissioner Robert 
Fredericks to ask the city’s co¬ 
operation. Commissioner Fred¬ 
ericks said the city building depart¬ 
ment would furnish frse ths inspec¬ 
tors that MHA nesds for the pro¬ 
gram. 

Thle Is the procedure, as ds- 
scribed by Mr. Fowler, that will be 
followed In handling the remodel¬ 
ing of an old home. 

Residence owners make applica¬ 
tion to Memphis Housing Author¬ 
ity at 264 N. LaUderdAlC fbr assist¬ 
ance in remodeling a particular 
house Under the FHA plan, (lien 
Yockey, technical director of Mha, 
will have charge ef these applica¬ 
tions. 

Neat, thru the facilities of the 
city building department, the house 
will be examined for technical in¬ 
formation on the economic advis¬ 
ability And cost of the rehabilita¬ 
tion job. The information Will be 
referred to H6LC for estimates on 
cost and economic advisability. 

Loans From Banks 
"The owner. AS soon as he finds 
out hew much money is involved, 
must then ask the bank for a lean, 
find out if his credit is good.” said 
Mr Fowler. “We will meet with 
th* banks within the neat 41 hours 
to explain the program and make 
financial plans with them." 

Neat ihe remodeling Job is put 
In the hahdi of the contractor who 
submits plans and application for 
FHA loan and application for pfl* 
orltlea on building materials to 
FHA. 


Thursdays. 


Walter Jones, Omaha, Neb., sen¬ 
ior reconditioning inspector for the 
regional office of the HOLC. will be 
the field man cooperating with the 
local homes registration office in 
the Chamber of Commerce building 
in the furtherance of this city’s 
participation in the federal “repair 
for national defense" program. 

That announcement was made this 
morning at the homes registration 
office by Arthur Dunham. Omaha, 
assistant regional manager of the 
Home Owners’ Loan corporation. 

On Thursday of each week, Jones, 
or another HOLC representative will 
spend as much time as is required at 
the local homes registration bureau. • 
He will review applications made 
at the office by local property own¬ 
ers seeking rehabilitation of theif 
holdings. 

Approved applications will be re- 
fered to HOLC technicians, who 
will be three or four local architects. 

They will make actual inspection of 
properties and draw up preliminary 
plans and specifications for re¬ 
modeling. 

That material will l>e filed with 
the homes registration office for 
review by the HOLC. If approved, 
owners will be contacted for con¬ 
ference and their official signa¬ 
tures on requests for financial as¬ 
sistance. 

Names of local architects who 
will be designated as approved 
technicians working out of the local 
homes office will be announced by 
the end of this week, Dunham said. 

1942. tAtATt 

1,059 FAMILIES 

no HOMES, 

owaypis 

Increase of 252 Applicants 
Noted in Week; Industry 
Aides Fear Men May-Quit 
Unless They Find Houses 

Many key worker* In. Seattle de¬ 
fense industries cannot find homes 
for their families and Industry per¬ 
sonnel officers are seriously per¬ 
turbed about the situation, accord¬ 
ing to comments from the Munici¬ 
pal Defense Commission's Housing 
Committee, headed by Arthur Van- 
der Sys. _ , 

That committee’s Homes Regis¬ 
tration Bureau, in the Rialto 
Building, yesterday had a total of 
1,059 unfilled a p p 11 catlona for 
homes filed by defense workers' 
families, it waa pointed Mit Vr 
Hayden G n mtom, >— M 


Old House on Airways 
Will Become a Duplex 



The home for one family that will soon be a home for two— 
dotted lines indicate planned extensions. 


Welfare Commission Case Worker to Spend 
$2000 on Additions and Alterations 


Mrs; J. O. Sigmsn, 1723 Airways, 
case worker for Memphis and Shel¬ 
by County Welfare Commission, is 
going to convert the one-family 
house next door to her residence 
into a duplex. 

She will spend $2000 adding new 
rooms, dividing the house into two 
parts, altering rooms, refinishing 
walls, laying hardwood floors and 
Installing double windows. The du¬ 
plex will be 1929-31 Airways. __ 


252 New Demands in Week 

'This is 252 more than we had 
on our books a little over a week 
ago and shows how the situation ft 
growing in intensity," said Grun- 
den. "Many of these applications 
have been fljed by men who are 
out here alone, are of course em¬ 
ployed in defense work, and want 
to bring their families here. Some 
of these are very valuable key 
men, we are told by personnel 
officers at- local plants who are 
getting worried lest these men 
leave Seattle for jobs available in 
other parts of the country where 
they can be together with thair 
families." 

Another phase of the Bureau’s 
work, that of aiding owners of 
property to convert their buildings 
Into additional family dwelling 
units, is proceeding well, according 
to Grunden. The Bureau now has 
129 applications on file from own¬ 
ers wishing free, expert building 
alteration suggestions from staff 
members of the Home Owners 
Loan Corporation. ' 

Approximately 26 such applica¬ 
tions are now being "processed.” 
having either been approved or are 
nearing completion. In each in¬ 
stance, the owner agrees that the 
additional dwelling units will be 
made available for occupancy by 
defense workers’ families. 

Owners Finance Improvements 

The varied projects range from 
& few hundred dollars to several 
thousands of dollars, Gnmden's 
files reveal. One small project 
called for the expenditure of $257 
to finish a small attic to provide 
sleeping accommodations for four 
youths employed in defense work. 
The largest project would Involve 
$12,055 and result In nine three- 
room apartment? in a structure 
not now used for apailment pur¬ 
poses. Numerous ren odeling proj¬ 
ects will create one apartment, 
others will add two or three fam¬ 
ily units. 

Property owners must finance 
their own work, although Home 
Owners’ Loan Corporation officials 
will recommend lending agencies if 
such information is desired. Ap¬ 
proval of p Cpcts can now be 
granted by W i i1 i a m M. Trues- 
dell, field representative of the 
H. O. L. C. in Seattle. Until re¬ 
cently all proposals had to be sub¬ 
mitted to regfoMl offices in San 
Francisco. 


The Slgman family used to live 
In the house that will be remodeled. 
It is part of the 25-acre Sigman es¬ 
tate along Airways just north of 
the Frisco yards. 

Mrs. Sigman will rent the apart¬ 
ments at about $40 each. 

Mrs. Marvin Merritt and Mrs. 
Bruce Brunson, daughters of Mrs. 
Sigman. want to live in the duplex. 
Paul Kapelow drew the plans. 

Birmingham, Ala. 


DAl'E 

H.B# 

Government Will Use 
All Existing Housing 
For National Defense 

Private Home Owners 
Are Urged To Repair 
All Old Structures 

Utilization of existing housing in 
defense areas is urged by % Defense 
Coordinator Charles F. Palmer in 
a message to owners of buildings 
that can be repaired, modernized 
and put in condition for occupancy. 
The increasing shortage in build¬ 
ing materials makes it imperative, 
he says, that all possible use be 
made of existing housing to pro¬ 
vide homes for workers in defense 
industries. 

He appeals to private home-own¬ 
ers, home financing institutions and 
the real estate interests in all de¬ 
fense areas to make such repairs 
and improvements as may be neces¬ 
sary. He advises owners and finan¬ 
cing institutions that arrangements 
have been made with the Home 
• Owners Loan Corporation for arch¬ 
itects or technicians on its staff to 
inspect any property which can be 
reconditioned, discuss plans and 
give estimates of costs and prob¬ 
able revenue obtainable after such 
reconditioning though rent. These 
services are furnished without cost 
to the owner. 

The president has granted $100,- 
000 from his emergency funds to 
enable HOLC to employ fee achi- 
tects and technicians where its own 
salaried staff cannot do the job, Mr. 
Palmer says. 

"In almost every large city,” says 
Mr. Palmer, "there are thousands 
of dwellings which can be made 
into homes for defense workers. 
These structures are located on 
paved streets and are served by ex¬ 
isting untilitles, lights, gas. water 
and sewers. They are near shop¬ 
ping centers and are already pro¬ 
vided with adequate transportation. 
If we can utilize these existing 
structures our work will be greatly 
reduced. There will be an import¬ 
ant saving in money, time and criti¬ 
cal materials. Moreover, such a 
program will preserve community 
assets and avoid the danger of over¬ 
building during the emergency." 

Mr. Palmer adds if such commu¬ 
nities can sponsor broad rehabilita¬ 
tion programs they may be able to 
keep residents in the older section 
permanently. 


DEFENSE HOUSING 
1 PLAN EXPLAINED 
10 LOCAL GROUPS 

Realtors, Industrialists 
and Public Officials 
Hear HOLC Man 

Assistance given by government 
agencies to defense areas in mak¬ 
ing housing surveys and in con¬ 
versation of single family dwell¬ 
ings into multiple occupancy 
houses was explained by Arthur A. 
May, Detroit, assistant regional 
manager of the Home Owners’ Loan 
Corporation, in a talk before the 
Evansville Board of Realtors yes¬ 
terday. 

1 Members of the local board ex- 
I pressed interest in the plans out- 
I lined by Mr. May, stating that the 
government assistance would help 
relieve the anticipated housing 
shortage here and would supple¬ 
ment the work of the proposed 
centralized rental bureau. 

Mr. May said that the division of 
defense housing coordination of 
OEM has set np nearly 200 home 
registration offices throughout the 
country. 

What HRO Does 

"The job of the HRO offices Is 
to make housing surveys, make a 
census of available single rooms 
and to encourage and assist people 
in converting single family homes 
into two, three or four-family 
apartments," Mr. May stated. 

"When a home owner files an ap¬ 
plication for assistance in con¬ 
version, the case is referred to the 
HOLC. The HOLC sends a re¬ 
conditioning technician to inspect 
the property, and make cost es¬ 
timates and preliminary drawings. 
This service is provided free of 
cost to the home owner. 

"If the owner decides to go ahead 
with the remodeling, the HOLC 
representative puts him in touch 
with an architect for the prepara¬ 
tion of detailed specifications, re¬ 
ceives bids, awards contracts and 
supervises the work for a fee to 
be agreed upon between him and 
the owner." 

Salary Paid Locally 
Mr. May ^uid It would be up to 
a local sponsoring group to pay 
'the salary of the RHO manager 
and provide his quarters. Clerical 
help probably could be obtained 
from WPA, It was said. 

Mr. May declared that If local 
Industry doesn't provide homes for 
the anticipated influx of defense' 
workers, the government probably 
will step in and provide demount¬ 
able homes or trailers, or even 
build extensive permanent hous¬ 
ing units. 

Further discussing the war 
duties of HOLC, Mr. May said the 
appraisal section makes appraisals 
of lands for the army, navy and 
other government agencies. 

Mr. May asserted the housing 
j problem has become much more 
'complex since the war. He said 
the automobile has been a decen¬ 
tralization factor and predicted 
jthat the decreased use of cars will 
discourage people from moving 
[very often. 

I Mr. May also discussed the HRO 
Iplans at a meeting of city officials, 
traitors and manufacturers at a 
meeting last night. 


- 50 












































Conversion of Existing Homes in Spotlighl 


Example 
Is Given 

Single Home Made 
a Three-Family 

Along with defense home building, 
pronounced emphasis is being given 
in. this year’s Builders’ Show to! 
means and methods of converting! 
existing property so as to increase, 
economically and quickly, this area’s 
housing 

The Homes Registration Office. 
80" West Fort street; the Home 
Ownets Cora-, and the Federal 
Housing Administration all have ex¬ 
hibits or representatives at the' 
show. In addition, dozens of Detroit 
lumber companies and other sup¬ 
pliers have trained personnel on 
hand to aid the home owner in 
planning modernization of h 1 a 
home. 

ILLUSTRATION GIVEN 

A striking example of what can 
and is being done in Detroit is the 
conversion job illustrated on this 
pagt The home, on the East Side, 
has three stories. The owner applied 
at the HRO. and through the HQLC. 
he obtained the services of a fee 
architect who had considerable ex¬ 
perience in converting homes for the 
HOLC 

This home, as the plans prepared 
bv Robbert F. Calder. registered 
architect, show, will be converted 
from a onfe-family into a three- 
apartment building 

The first floor had a large dining 
room in the rear and a large living 
room in the front. The old dining 
room will be converted into two 
bedrooms, one 8 by 10 feet and the 
other 10 by 10 feet; While the old 
living room will yield a new bath¬ 
room. hall, dining room and living 
room. The existing kitchen will be 
modernized. 

On the second floor, there were 
lour wtdrooms and a bath. One of 
the front bedrooms on this floor 
will be converted into a living room. 
11 feet six Inches bv 14 feet, and, 
the other front bedroom into a 
completely modern kitchen. The 
two bedrooms in the rear will be 
modernized An open stairway will) 
be enclosed to make a public stairs 
to the third floor 

At present there are three bed¬ 
rooms on the third floor. One ofj 
these will be converted Into a liv¬ 
ing room, a second converted Into 
a kitchen, and the third modem- 
l?*d. A small bathroom, with a 
new dormer and window, ( will be| 
formed from an enlarged existing 
clothes closet. The rear exit will b. 
rebuilt. 

All tnree of the apartments will 
ha ' access to both front and rear 
stairs. 

EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS 

"This conversion project is an ex¬ 
cellent example of what hundreds 
of Detroit homeowners can accom¬ 
plish wivh their property and not 
only provide themselves with /m 
income but perform a service to 
their country by providing modern 
housing for defense workers,'’ W. 
Joseph Starrs supervisor of the 
HRO office here, said Saturday. 

“We will be glad to aid any other 
Detroit homeowner in planping 
similar conversion work at no charge 
whatsoever.” 

"As to financing this kind of 
work, the FHA has been empowered 
to give preferential consideration 
to such work, while the Govern¬ 
ment assures high priority rating 
to the necessary material, because, 
obviously, such conversion work 
means considerable savings in 
critical metals in comparison with 
complete new building jobs." 


Owner of This Detroit Home Will Convert It Into Three-Family Apartment 


Dining room 

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THE DETROIT NEWS, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1942 


;]See Comeback 
of Old Houses 


Conversion to Renew 
Old Neighborhoods 


The year 1942 will see the come¬ 
back of many properties, and even 
neighborhoods, which had been be¬ 
lieved well on their way toward 
obsolescence, building and real 
estate authorities predict. 

In every community there are old 
dwellings of sound construction 
which can easily be converted into 
two or more apartments. Usually 
they are conveniently located, but 
In sections which have suffered be¬ 
cause of the movement of building 
to newer parts of the city and to 
suburbs. 

The demand for additional hous¬ 
ing, in the face of material short¬ 
ages. now makes lfc advisable and 
profitable to modernize these old 
buildings. Moreover, conversions of 
this type are being encouraged in 
defense areas by the highest prior¬ 
ity ratings. 

SAVES CRITICAL MATERIALS 

Even in non-defense areas, this 
kind of remodeling is expected to 
gain momentum, for it can be ac¬ 
complished with very little use of 
critical materials. Insulating board, 
for Instance, can be used to recon¬ 
struct the Interiors, thus speeding 
up the conversion and at the same 
time reducing costs. 

The use of insulating board for 
walls and ceilings, and for plaster 
base where needed, also helps to 
solve a major problem usually as¬ 
sociated with old buildings—that of 


heating. It provides Insulation at the 
same time that it builds new in¬ 
terior*. 

PLAN IS FIRST STEP 

Frequently conversions of thia 
kind can be made with little or no 
exterior alterations. A few exterior 
changes, however, will often give 
the property a completely modern 
appearance, in deciding on how 
much to spend, the owner should 
take into consideration the condi¬ 
tion of the building, its location and 
the rentals which the apartments 
will bring. 

Before any work is started, the 
property owner shpuld carefully 
draw up a plan of the building, 
showing the present layout in de¬ 
tail and to scale. Then he can work 
out the best possible arrangements 
for the new apartments and obtain 
an accurate estimate of the work to 
be done. When such a study of 
existing conditions is made It is 
possible not only to save money, but 
to work out a better room arrange¬ 
ment. 



The owner of this East Side home took advantage of facilities 
open to all home-owners of similar property and obtained 
plans to convert it into three income apartments. The plans 
show the architect’s drawings of the first, second and third 
floor*, before and after conversion. Information on such 
modernization work is a feature of the Builders’ Show 


Offer Advice 
On Remodeling 

Architect*, Technician* 
Provided by Office 

At least 500 property owners 
in Columbus have an opportunity 
to aid the defense housing pro¬ 
gram and at the same time in¬ 
crease their own revenues, Wil¬ 
liam F. Curran, director of the 
Homes Registration Office, 30 
East Broad street, declared Sat¬ 
urday. 

The service provides architects 
and technicians, said Mr. Curran, 
who will visit properties listed 
with the office, investigate remod¬ 
eling possibilities, make cost es¬ 
timates, and advise owners of pos¬ 
sible revenues they may expect. 

Property owners, he pointed 
out, must stand expense of re¬ 
conditioning once initial advice 
has been given, and further tech¬ 
nical assistance will be furnished 
at a reasonable fee. 

“Preliminary surveys show that 
hundreds of families of defense 
workers can be housed through 
utilizing the vacant space in these 
properties,” said Mr. Curran. 
’’Most of the houses would have 
to be remodeled and modernized 
to some degree, but we’ve taken 
steps to help carry out such a 
program effectively." 

Experts who will assist the 
Homes Registration office will be 
furnished through.the Home Own¬ 
ers’ Loan Corporation, which has 
supervised the repair and recon¬ 
ditioning of 550,000 homes. 

The Homes Registration office 
also lists all vacant rooms and 
apartments for the convenience of 
defense workers and their fami¬ 
lies. This service is free, no 
charge being made either to the 
d roperty owner or tenant. 


■yl 


Toledo ExpSctecTto t*ace 3 
Housing Shortage by May 

Home* Registration Office Reports Working Man 
Has Difficulty Finding Suitable Quarters; 
Conversion of Large Units Advocated. 


Toledo will be faced with a housing shortage by April or May 
officials of the Defense Housing and Homes Registration Office 
declared today. 

Even now it is difficult for the average working man to find suit¬ 
able housing for the rent he is able to pay, a statement from Kenton 

D. Keilholtz. executive committee 
chairman, and Dale LaRue, secre¬ 
tary-director. said. The committee 
recommended the conversion of 
large homes in Toledo to make 
additional living units and to 
increase the income from the 
property. 

This conversion angle on housing 
has been successful in many of the 
large cities where acute housing 
shortages exist. Mr. Keilholtz said. 

The committee announced that 
through cooperation with the 
Home Owners Loan Corp., free 
technical advice is given in con¬ 
version problems. Builders and 
lumber companies also render free 
technical advice, the committee 
said. Priority needs for materials 
in such housing projects, it was 
said .are considered second only to 
the Army and Navy in the event 
that rental does not exceed $50 per 
month. 

Mr. Keilholtz said any persons 
interested in conversion should 
make contact with the Home 
Registration Office, 733 Security 
Bank Building, in order to find out 
full particulars. 

Mr. LaRue reported that regis¬ 
trations of rentable homes are de¬ 
creasing. but that applications for 
homes $re on the increase, par¬ 
ticularly marked within the last 
few days. 


20 Toledo Homes 
To Be ‘Converted’ 

More than 20 owners of large To¬ 
ledo residences have indicated their 
plans to remodel them into multiple 
units. Dale O. LaRue, secretary- 
director of the homes registration 
bureau for defense housing, whose 
offices at 733 Security Building 
have been crowded the last two 
days. 

The city's defense housing situa¬ 
tion badly needs small furnished 
apartments. Mr. I>aRue said. He 
also is anxious to have further list¬ 
ings from those who have rentable 
property and from those arriving 
defense workers who wish it. 


ftl 















































































































































Services 
Are Free 

Typical Job 
Is Described 



8Um 


Service* of the Home* Registra¬ 
tion Office, now confined to Detroit, 
will be expanded to take In all 
comm unitie* in Wayne County, It wa* 
i announced Satur¬ 
day by Charles E. 
Edgecomb, direc¬ 
tor - secretary of 
the Detroit Hous¬ 
ing commission. 

Assisting in the 
expansion pro¬ 
gram is A. B. 
Flagg, regional 
field supervisor, of 
Washington, who 
c o n f e r red with 
local officials here 
last week. Flagg 
expressed the 
opinion that 
Wayne Mich., 
might be a logical 
location for a new office to assist 
in locating housing facilities for 
residents of Wayne County working 
in defen«® industries. 

Mayor Edward J. Jeffries an¬ 
nounced the appointment of the 
following members to serve on the 
advisory committee on homes regis¬ 
tration: Leonard A. Dysarz, city as¬ 
sessor, Hamtramck; Albert R. Walk¬ 
er, supervisor, Nankin Township, 
Wayne; Wm. F. Von Moll, super¬ 
visor, Mcnguagon Township, Tren¬ 
ton, and joaeph W. Schaefer, coun¬ 
cilman, City of Dearborn. 

KTARRS APPOINTED 
Edgecomb also announced the 
appointment of W. Joseph Starrs to 
•ucceed Stuart E. Walker as super¬ 
visor of the Homes Registration 
Office. Starrs formerly was super¬ 


visor of property and Insurance 
service of the Detroit Welfare De¬ 
partment and active in housing 
'•'immittees throughout Detroit in 
the last five years. 

8tarrs Saturday reported an in- 
ci eased demand at the registration 
office. 305-9 West Fort street, for 
Information on the conversion pro¬ 
pram which is sponsored Jointly bv 
the Detroit Housing Commission. 
Homes Registration Office, and 
Home Owners’ Loan Corp. 

"Expansion of the scope of ser¬ 
vices of the HRO into out-lying 
communities in Wayne County en¬ 
able HOLO to expand Its services 
in the conversion program and many 
additional requests for service are 
expected from home owners in those 
communities," Starrs said. 

"The conversion and reconditlon- 
In, program la limited to properties 
which can be changed into multi- 
family homes without violation of 
(.x Is ting building or zoning restric¬ 
tions This office is prepared to 
fumiah free expert advice on the 
program.” 

ATTIC INTO APARTMENT 

A typical conversion Job. Just pro- 
C*«si*i by the HRO and HOLC 
offices here last week, Is illustrated*- 
elsewhere on this page. 

This home has a large attic The 
owner tppjiao rbr auvfct at the 
Homes Registration Office, giving 
♦he necessary information as to the 
address of the home, its type, ex¬ 
terior material, number of stories 
and bath*, number of families 
Occupying, number of rooms in the 
unit, lot size and lot coverage, and 
the like. 

Starrs’ staff, including WPA work¬ 
ers under the supervision of Philip 
Heldeman. then decided from the 
records what type of zoning covered 
the property, and aaaemblad other 
data which showed the property was 
adaptable to conversion. The appli¬ 
cation was then referred to the of¬ 
fice of A. A. May. assistant regional 
manager In charge of appraisal and 
reconditioning for the HOLO. 


Attic of This Detroit Home Will Be Converted Into Apartment 



PN9ST PLOOR 0EPOEE P Iff ST PL OOP APTER ATTIC APTER. 

REMOOELING- REMODELING- REMODELING- 


The owner of this home received free advice and rough esti¬ 
mates and drawings from the Homes Registration Office and 
the Home Owners' Loan Corp. here. He will convert the 
attic into a new apartment which will rent for $45 a month, 
heated, and make other improvement! at a total coat of about 
$1,900. The drawings show the first floor before and after 
remodeling, attd the attic after conversion. As shown, pro- 
vision is made for a front entrain? tjg,the new upstairs apart- 


ment, which will have a good-sized living room end bed¬ 
room; a bathroom; an alcove with three windows which can 
be used as library or sewing room; a combined dining room 
and kitchen, and plenty of closet space. The gas stove, re¬ 
frigerator and kitchen cabinets will take up a space 66 inches 
wide. The apartment will be heated by individual gas zone 
Iwaters which take up little space, while the roof will be 
iifkulated. Detroit suppliers also offer special inducements 
for similar conversion jobs. 


j MEE SERVICES 

The HOLC architects and technl- 
: elens then made a preliminary ln- 
ipectlon, made rough drawings and 
drew up skeleton specifications with 
the approximate cost. They esti¬ 
mated the conversion work In this 
case would coat approximately tl.900 
end that the new apartment created 
In the attto would rent for about $46, 
heated. 

| All this work was done without e 
! tent of coat to the owner. 

The owner now can hire his own 
architect to make detailed drawings, 
or If he desires, ths HOLO will fur¬ 
nish him with an experienced tech¬ 
nician whose fee will be reasonable. 

financing for such projebts may 
he obtained under FHA terms frem 
various lending facilities. 


■INQUIRIES DAILY 

Starrs said his office is receiving 
five to 10 Inquiries a day from per¬ 
sons planning conversion work. He 
suggested that owners bring In a 
copy of their deed or land contract 
to ehow subdivision restrictions, lot 
else and coverage, or a description of 
subdivision restrictions and other 
data, so that work on their applica¬ 
tion may be expedited. 

Information regarding conversion 
W homos and apartments Is also 
available from various Detroit sup¬ 
pliers of building materials. 


- 82 




























































































































pace eight _ The Boston Sunday Globe • Home Defense for Victory Section APRIL 19, 1942 

Conversion Helps Solve New England’s Defense Housing Problem 


Demand Met by Converting 
Old Dwellings Into New Ones 

Modern Houses of Good Construction Can Be 
Rehabilitated Quickly and at Very Low Cost 


America’s Second Army, thousands upon thousands 
strong, is invading New England. It’s a mighty welcome 
army, however, because it is made up of skilled technical 
men—machinists, ship fitters, welders, riggers—men who 
are extending our war effort to its greatest pitch. 


Every industrial area in this 
territory is turning out the equip¬ 
ment needed by our armies in the 
field, from battleships to cartridge 
cases. There is plenty of work 
to be done, and the men who can 
do the job are coming here from 
all parts of the nation. Finding 
the manpower is not the great 
problem, but finding the homes 


for the war industry workers and 
their families is the greatest prob¬ 
lem. 

Both the government and pri¬ 
vate enterprise have been doing 
all within their power to provide 
the needed housing, and thus far, 
except for a few areas, the prob¬ 
lem has not gotten out of hand. 
Public housing projects have been 


turned over to year workers, and 
private industry has been erect¬ 
ing low-cost hpmes. 

But industries continue to ex¬ 
pand and the men continue to 
pour in from other sections of 
the country. In the Quincy de¬ 
fense region, for instance, as the 
new Hingham shipyard takes 
form, many more men will be 
employed in a district where 
there is no oversupply of housing. 

Because of this increasing need 
for additional decent housing 
units in the shortest possible time, 
the advantages of the conversion 
method are becoming more gen¬ 
erally appreciated. Government 
housing officials were among the 
first to realize that needed homes 
can be produced quickly and effi¬ 
ciently through the conversion of 
large houses into small apart¬ 
ments and through the rehabilita¬ 
tion of obsolescent dwellings. 

Because by this means housing 
can be provided at less expense 
than new construction, because 
far less critical material is con¬ 
sumed, and because public util¬ 


ities and other facilities are al¬ 
ready developed in the neighbor¬ 
hood, conversion work in critical 
areas enjoys a high priority 
rating. 

A further indication of the high 
regard which the authorities have 
for this type of work is the fact 
that free technical and archi¬ 
tectural service is available from 
government experts to persons 
remodeling their properties to 
create additional dwelling units. 

Many Older Residences 
Can Be Easily Converted 

There are hundreds of large 
single homes in every defense 
area that no longer house the 
large families which they were 
built to accommodate. These resi¬ 
dences can be easily converted 
into two, three or four smaller 
apartments. Not only do they 
help meet the demand for hous¬ 
ing, but also they bring added 
income to the owner and increase 
property value' 



THESE ILLUSTRATIONS show how ait old house—possibly one that is abandoned but structurally sound—can 
be transformed into a modern multiple-unit dwelling to provide needed housing in defense areas. 


There are also numerous homes 
with unused space, perhaps an 
attic or an ell, which can be 
readily altered to provide attrac¬ 
tive living quarters. Likewise, old 
vacant houses which are struc¬ 
turally sound—and there are 
many of these, large and small— 
can be renewed or made into 
multiple units. 

In many sections, particularly 
along the coast. Summer homes 
which are normally used but a 
few months of the year, can be 
winterized and rented profitably. 
This applies as well to Summer 
hotels and guest houses. 

Property owners wishing to 
avail themselves of the free serv¬ 
ices offered by the experts of the 
Home Owners’ Loan Corporation 
can obtain the necessary informa¬ 
tion from local H. O. L. C. offices. 
Federal Housing Administration 
officer, and, where they exist, 
from Homes Registration offices. 
In the Greater Boston area, in¬ 
cluding the North and South 
Shores, application is made 
through the Homes Registration 
office in Quincy) Homes Registra¬ 
tion offices have been opened re¬ 
cently in Springfield and Pitts¬ 
field, and it is expected that one 
will be opened soon in Lynn. 


A eampaign to promote more of 
this kind of housing is already 
under way in greater Quincy 
area, which includes the southern 
sections of Boston, Cohasset, i 
Brockton and Dedham. A Convert ! 
for Defense committee has been I 
organized with sub-committees in 
each of the 30 communities in \ 
the area. 

The function of the committees i' 
is to create interest in conversion 
housing and to assist property 
owners in filling out and filing 
applications. In the short time 
that this drive has been in oper¬ 
ation, more than 50 sets of blue 
prints have been drawn for own¬ 
ers, and in many instances work 
is already under way. 

Recent Restrictions by W. P. B. 
Designed to Assist Defense Housing 

Since the recent restrictions on 
construction issued by the War 
Production Board were designed 
to make w'hatever materials are 
scarce available for defense hous¬ 
ing and other essential work, they 
in no way hinder, but rather 
facilitate, conversions. High 
priority ratings insure speedy per¬ 
mits and assistance in securing 
any material not readily obtain¬ 
able. 


With the exception of a few 
critical items, most building ma¬ 
terials are plentiful, dealers re¬ 
port. Remodeling seldom requires 
large quantities of scarce ma¬ 
terials, so that-rfhe work can pro¬ 
ceed without delays. False 
rumors circulating about the 
scarcity of all kinds of building 
materials are believed to be due 
to a misunderstanding of govern¬ 
ment orders curtailing some types 
of building. The purpose of these 
orders has been to conserve those 
materials that are scarce for the 
development of housing in de¬ 
fense areas rather than have them 
used in non-essential construction. 

Property owners w'ho can pro¬ 
vide additional dwelling units in 
this way are making a substantial 
contribution to the war effort in 
that the energies of the govern¬ 
ment are released to deal with 
other pressing matters. The tools 
of modern war require good 
workers housing in good homes. 


- 53 







































THE WAUKEGAN NEWS-SUN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25. 1942. 


I 


REMODELED INTO SMALL APARTMENTS 



Through the Remodeling Divi¬ 
sion of the Homes Registration of¬ 
fice the property located at 16 N. 
West st., owned by D. F. Mason, 
is being converted into 4 modern 
apartments, each with private bath, 
consisting of 3 three-room and 1 
two-room with shower. 

This type of building activity re¬ 
ceives the highest priority rating 
in the construction field. Critical 
materials required in construction 
of new housing are becoming 
scarce. They are needed for planes, 
tanks and guns. 


Homes Registration office has 
35 applications for remodeling. 
Three additional remodeling pro¬ 
jects are in process of completion. 
Priority on critical materials must 
be obtained. If you contemplate re¬ 
modeling; application for priority 
materials should be made in suffi¬ 
cient time to clear through FHA. 

Reconditioning saves money, 
time, and precious material, and 
averts the danger of over building 
during the emergency. There are 
many old homes in Waukegan 


area that might be converted into 
small apartments. 

We can help immeasurably to 
conserve these vital materials if, 
through our efforts, all existing 
housing is put to maximum use. 
We are racing against time. Re¬ 
model now. Over 200 applications 
are now on hand for small apart¬ 
ments. 

Homes Registration office is lo¬ 
cated at 8 S. Sheridan road. Tele¬ 
phone Majestic 1472. The service is 
free. 


Comeback Being Staged for Old House 


Remodeled, It's 

Maybe the horse won't come 
back because of the tire short¬ 
age, but in 1942 the old, neg¬ 
lected house is certainly going 
to stage a comeback. 

The idea is simple. The old 
house, remodeled and designed 
for rental, is going to help con¬ 
serve necessary materials. In 
defense areas where the hous¬ 
ing shortage is acute it will pro¬ 
vide good living quarters for the 
men and women on the produc¬ 
tion line. 

A preview of what will happen 
In the metropolitan area, and 
throughout the nation, is being 
staged right now in Schenec- 


Going lo Be Very 

tady. In this mid-state indus¬ 
trial city a ' guinea-pig’’ house 
at 105 Front St., is being re¬ 
stored. 

This big, old-fashioned house 
is typical of hundreds around 
New York. It was designed for 
a single family 40 years back. 
In recent years it’s dragged 
along, getting more run down, 
and fetching its owner, Wayne 
Merriam, a Schenectady busi¬ 
ness man, a monthly rent of 
only $35. 

Working with Thomas O. 
Grace. State Director of the 
Federal Housing Administration, 
Mr. Merriam has madq his run¬ 
down house a model project. 
Here is the procedure as he fol¬ 
lowed it. It is typical of what 
all owners will do in restoring 
property for defense housing. 

The first thing Mr. Merriai.. 
determined was that his house 
was in a section where defense 
housing was a must. This is of 
prime importance. Was it in a 
neighborhood where there was a 
housing shortage? Could it fur¬ 
nish apartments defense workers 
could pay for? 

Mr. Merriam decided It was. 
The Citizens’ Trust Co. to which 
he applied for a loan of $5000— 

the maximum allowed in the re¬ 
modeling program—checked up, 
found he was right. The loan 
was approved. 


/luch in Demand 

Next came the arcmtect-con 
tractor into the picture. He 
drew up, and carried out, plans 
to convert the single family 
house into a four apartment 
unit. Two apartments were de¬ 
signed to have living room, din¬ 
ing alcove, kitchenatte, two bed¬ 
rooms and bath. The other two 
were laid out with living room, 
bedroom and bath. 

There are materials available 
for necessary remodeling work 
like this. The job was done 
quickly, efficiently, and the 
apartments are now ready. The 
problem of renting them is 
merely one of selecting the 
tenants. 

Rents Really on Modest Scale. 

Instead of receiving $35 a 
month on his property, Mr. 
Merriam now has the choice of 
an income of $176.50 or a top 
of $208 if he furnishes service 
such as heat and light to his 
tenants. The rents are modest. 
The smaller apartments rent for 
$38.50 and $41. The larger units 
rent for $47.50 and $49.50. 

This Schenectady remodeled 
house is an all-around good 
deed. It gives housing to defense 
workers who need it badly, and 
it restores Mr. Merriam’s prop¬ 
erty. A run-down house has be¬ 
come a valuable asset to the 
community and the country. 
That's the role of the re-done 
house in defense areas during 
'42. 


Journal of Commerce 
New York City- 
March 21. 1942 


New Homes Through Conversion 

The supply of housing- in defense J»rea6 can 
often be expanded more easily and cheaply 
through conversion of existing older residential 
buildings than through the erection of new 
homes. This is so particularly In older urban 
communities where numerous larger one-family 
and two-family houses are to be found. 

An old-fashioned four-story brick or brown- 
stone dwelling can usually be converted into a 
four-family apartment house at a cost of $10,- 
OOO to $15,000. The erection of four new one- 
family houses would cost perhaps twice this 
sum, and a new apartment house even more. 
Par more important than the matter of cost, 
however, is the conservation of materials that 
results from the conversion of existing dwellings, 
as compared with the erection of new homes. 

Furthermore, when older buildings are con¬ 
verted new streets are not opened and communi¬ 
ties are not created. The provision of additional 
sewage, pavements, schools and transit facilities 
may thus be avoided. The conservation of build¬ 
ing materials and labor is considerably greater 
than may appear at first blush. 

The Federal Housing Administration has 
campaigned energetically for the modernization 
of existing structures, in preference to new home 
building in defense areas, during the past year. 
Funds are readily available at moderate cost for 
such projects, under Title I of the National Hous¬ 
ing Act which provides insurance for lending 
banks against loss up to 10 per cent of the 
amount of such loans. 

Consideration should be given, in the -present 
emergency, to the liberalization of the present 
restrictions on Title I loans on residential prop¬ 
erty in defense areas. These loans are now 
limited to $5,000 and a maturity of five years. 
An increase in the maximum amount to $10,000 
or $15,000 and a lengthening of maturities would 
doubtless stimulate further remodeling of older 
residential properties in defense arena, to increase 
the number of families that can be accommo¬ 
dated. It would be helpful if larger insured 
loans on multiple family dwellings could be se¬ 
cured. provided it can be shown that the num¬ 
ber of families housed would be increased sub¬ 
stantially. On such defense housing moderni¬ 
zation loans, the F. H. A. would have to Increase 
the amount of its insurance, beyond which losses 
incurred would fall upon the lending institution, 
from the present limit of 10 per cent of the 
these loans. 


News and Courier 
Charlestown, S. C. 
March 25, 1*542 


Fix Up Existing Houses 

Out of the bureaucratic welter of ideas 
emanating from Washington, one is reported 
by the National Association of Real Estate 
Boards which appears to have some sense. It 
points to the saving to be achieved by re¬ 
habilitating existing dwellings as compared 
to constructing new ones for defense work- 
ers. 

Of course much new construction is nec¬ 
essary anyway, especially in a place like 
Charleston, where conditions already were 
crowded; but there are plenty of houses 
here, many of them great barn-like resi¬ 
dences, which could be turned into modem 
homes and apartments with some judicious 
spending. The investment would be as safe 
as any other available now, and property 
would be protected. 


54 - 

















PROVO (UTAH) DAILY HERALD WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 1942 


Make Room For Defense Workers 
By Renovating Homes 


HRO Urges Remodeling 
To Assist In Housing 
Incoming War Workers 


An important role in the war 
against the Axis — that of see¬ 
ing that all existing housing in 
defense areas is put into im¬ 
mediate use — has been assigned 
homes registration offices. 

According to the Provo HRO 
this job is becoming increasingly 
important every day for two rea¬ 
sons — war production must not 
be impeded by lack of housing; 
and critical materials required in 
the construction of new houses 
are needed for planes, ships, tanks 
and guns. 

"We can help immeasurably to 
conserve these vital materials it 
all existing housing is put to 
maximum use and fewer new 
homo* are required for war wor¬ 
kers.’’ 

*1 • HRO In encouraging re¬ 
modeling Of more existing homes 
Reconditioning saves money, tlmn 
and precious materials, and this 
type of building reoeives the 
highest priority rating in the con- 
Ebirtlon field. 

By means of remodeling and re- 
CO> ditlonine. workmen needed for 
construction jobs in new factories 
. d mfices will be released, the 
danger of over-building during the 
emergency will be averted, present 
property values will be 'improved 
i' revenues for property owners 
win be opened up, and community 
assets will be preserved, it is 
pointed out. 

The HOLC will make available 


to property owners, through tpfe 
HRO, free technical advice on 
feasibility of reconditioning or re¬ 
modeling properties as well as 
other preliminary guidance. Appli¬ 
cations for this service should be 
made at the HRO office, 32 West 
Center. 

Trees Available 
For Planting Use 

Forest trees for farm planting 
are now available at the Utah 
State Agricultural college at Lo¬ 
gan and may be ordered through 
the Utah county agricultural of¬ 
fice, according to Clarence D. 
Ashton, assistant county agent. 

The young trees are furnished 
at nominal prices by the state 
of Utah, cooperating with the 
U. S. department of agriculture 
through the Utah extension" serv¬ 
ice and the school of forestry 
of the USAC.. 

All trees secured must be plrfit- 
od on farm land for woodlot, 
windbreak or shelterbelt pur¬ 
poses. 

Species available include: Soft¬ 
woods — Ponderosa pine, blue 
sr.'ruce and eastern red cedar. 
Hardwoods—Green ash, Siberian 
elm, black locust, thornless honey 
locust, Russian olive, Siberian pea 
tree, black walnut and golden 
willow. 


Priorities Available to Builders 
For Remodeling in Defense Areas 


WPB too* steps April 10 to 
make it easier for owners to re¬ 
model housing that can provide 
additional living accommodations 
essentia), to the war program. 

In order P-110, effective im¬ 
mediately, an A - 5 preference 
rating is assigned to deliveries to 
builders and their subcontractors 
of materials entering into low 
cost v-modeling proj'- , 's in area? 
important to the war effort. 

It limited to -*ojects for; 
which .he cost of materials which 
are on the defense housing critic^ 
list does not. exceed an avearge Of 
$100 per room for each dwelling 
unit. The scarce materials for each 
structure cannot cost more tgan 
$ 800 . 

Projects must be located In de¬ 
fense housing critical areas and 
the materials for which a rating 
is granted is limited to that 
specified on the defense housing 
critical list. Owners are not per¬ 
mitted tAeell or rent ,any dweiung | 
unit included in the project at 
prices higher than those approved! 


Ch lhc • » mt&st 

monthly rental—less certain serv¬ 
ice charges—cannot exceed $60 
for each dwelling unit and the 
sales price cannot exceed $0000 
for each single family accom¬ 
modation. 

Builders may apply for rating on 
form PD-406 which should be 
filed in the local office of the 
FHA. Copies of the form are avail¬ 
able or soon will be at any local 
office of the FHA, at any priority 
office of tike j&ureau of field oper¬ 
ations, of the WPB, or at banks, 
building and loan assocations, or 
other housing institutions. Infor¬ 
mation regarding the defense 
housing critical list may be ob¬ 
tained at any local office of the 
FHA. 



Newlv-Recondi tinned Anartraent 


Pictured above is an example of an upstairs apartment created 
through remodeling of an existing home. 


- 55 - 



































Owner Will Convert This Home 



FIR.5T FLOOR.* FIR.ST FLOOP- 

MFOR.E P.IMODIUN6 AfTEB. tUuMOOtUNO 

AOtULT t. CtLOLIk 
- AM.CUIT.tCT 

The owner of this Detroit two-flat lives in the upper apart¬ 
ment. Through the Homes Registration Office of the De¬ 
troit Housing Commission he obtained the services of Rob¬ 
ert F Calder. architect, to prepare plans for converting the 
lower fiat into two apartments, as shown in the accompanying 
sketches. I.ater he plans a similar conversion for the upper flat. 


Conversions 
in Demand 

HRO Office Here Gets 
5-10 Requests Dail^ 

Prom five to 10 applications are 
being received daily by the Hdmes 
Registration Office, for the conver¬ 
sion of existing dwelling units into 
additional housing for industrial 
war workers, Charles P Edgecomb, 
director - secretary of the Detroit 
Housing Commission, announced 
Saturday 

Edgecomb pointed out that re¬ 
cently the Federal Housing Admin¬ 
istration announced to all institu¬ 
tions making Title I modernization 
and repair loans that hereafter the 
insurance facilities of the FHA 
under Title I should be available 
only for loans used in defense areas 
to create additional dwelling units 
suitable for war workers, or for 
loans used to maintain existing 
properties in habitable condition. 

FREE TECHNICAL ADVICE 

“The Homes Registration Office 
of the Detroit Housing Commis¬ 
sion at 307 West Fort street is par¬ 
ticularly equipped to provide free 
technical advice and estimate of 
costs to those home owners assist* 
ing in the creation of additional 
housing units by conversion of their 
present dwellings,” Edgecomb said. 

“A total of 54 reconditioning re¬ 
ports were received by the Homes 
Registration Office from the HOLC 
during February. It is expected 
several of these will be under cou- 
stfuction as soon as financing ar¬ 
rangements can be made.” 

An example q/ one of these con¬ 
versions is illustrated oft this page, 
showing the creation of an addi¬ 
tional apartment unit on the first 
floor of a two-family flat. The 
application Was given to Robert P. 
Calder, architect, as an assignment 
to prepare a preliminary sketch and 
estimate, and working drawings. 

EXAMPLE OF CONVERSION 

As the accompanying sketches 
show, a front bedrooiti of the lower 
flat will become the kitchen of the 
new front apartment, while the 
parlor will be converted into a 
bedroom and closet space. The liv¬ 
ing room remains the same size, 
but the hall becomes a bath. The 
old dining room becomes the living 
room of the new rear apartment 
on the first floor. Each family Will 
have a separate basement stairway, 
one of these being working in under 
the exiting entrance to the upper 
flat. 

The owner lives In the upstairs 
apartment, which has the same 
layout as the present first floor, 
and therefore is adaptable to ttif 
6 ame conversion as planned fnr the 
first floor. 


56 





































































































PROVO (UTAH) DAILY HERALD. WEDNESDAY APRIL 2£ 1942 


WI Ml COOHUTINC 



Build An Extra Room or Apartment Now 
With An FHA Improvement Loan 

With the coming Steel Plant development living 

* 

quarters will be at a premium in Provo. 

Now is the time to build an extra room or apart¬ 
ment. Repay from rent on convenient monthly terms. 

Plan your improvements get an estimate from 
a reliable contractor then consult any of our officers 

r 

about a loan. 


FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK 

PROVO, UTAH 

JJkat fueHcUif Uotnc-OwMd Bcutk 

MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 





- 57 























PROVO (UTAH) DAILY HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1942 


REMODEL 
Housing Units 

To Rent Now 

★ 

Investigate Our FJHA Loan Plan 

* 

We are co-operating in the defense program in this 
community by providing funds to many with which 
to convert buildings into living quarters to rent. 

If you nave such properties, we suggest that you con¬ 
sult with your lumber dealer, architect or contractor 
to determine your requirements Then come to this 
bank and let us explain how you can finanOe the 
work under our FHA Title I Loan Plan. 

The following table partially illustrates the liberal 
terms of the plan: 


Amount 

Time to 

Monthly 

of Loan 

Repay 

Payments 

$ 100.00 

18 Months 

$ 5.99 

500.00 

18 Months 

29.92 

1001.00 

36 Months 

31.98 

1500.00 

36 Months 

47.91 

2501.00 

60 Months 

49.83 



Loans over $2500.00 Available Only in Connection 
with Multiple Dwelling Units 

When you come in also ask about our 
attractive Agricultural Loan Plan 

FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, N.A. 

Member of 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 



- 58 
















PROVO (UTAH) DAILY HERALD, WEDNESDAY APRIL 22. 1942 


PAGE FIVE 


Recondition, Remodel! Alleviate The Housing Shortage 


Technical Service 
Is Available for 
Home Remodeiin; 

Property owners fn Ut*J» county 
take advantage of the serv¬ 
ice -TJf architects and technicians 
which can be supplied through the 
looal homes registration office to 
help remodel and modernise homes, 
says Howard Strong of Washing¬ 
ton, D. C.. director of “ 
degtstratlon division 

Ux.. 


fr.. Strong ( 
housing uni 


: declared thousands 
units have been fur- 
defense w o r kers 
throughout the country by util¬ 
ising the vacant space In existing 
bouses. But at the same time- he 
warned that experienced technical 
advice assures the best results. 

"There are many homes that 
can be converted to provide extre 
rooms and apartments with an 
Increase In property values, as wen 
as Immediate revenues," he said. 

Tbs homes registration offices 
have Ibeea offered the aid of 
technicians of the Home Owners 
Loan corporation, an organisation 
which has directed the recondition¬ 
ing of over 550,000 homes. The 
IHDLC*. sUhrtttJ suxr has bega 
supplemented by other 'architects 
and technicians, who will be 
oosapertsatod through a grant of 


*100,000 from the president's 
emergency funds. 

These technicians will Inspect 
properties, advise on possibilities 
of conversion, and estimate con¬ 
version costs and probable reve¬ 
nue* that can be derived by prop¬ 
erty owners. 

This l« not a program for mak¬ 
ing available cash or loans (or 
rTmodeling, but rather for provid¬ 
ing free of charge technical su- 
vice on the feasibility of remodel¬ 
ing properties. The established 
lending agencies, building and loan 
associations, banks or ot h e r 
mortgage lending Institutions will' 
be tne sources of credit. 

If property owners decide to go 
ahead, and need detailed plans and 
working drawings, and supervision 


of construction, further technical 
services will be povlded at a 
reasonable fee. The HRO will give 
advice on ebtaliflng financing. 


Sjjggesiraiis On 
Base 


KEA8LP8 PSXVALJSMT 

A total of 54 cases of com¬ 
municable diseases was reported 
to the State Department of Health 
from Utah county for the week 
ending April 10. Highest numbers 
were the 12 measles cases, and 
the 21 cases of mumps. 

Other diseases reported were ss 
follows; chicken pox. 0. German 
measles. 5. pneumonia. 2. scarlet 
fever. 4, tuberculosis. 1. whooping 
cough, l, gonorrhea, 1 , and one 
case of silicosis. 


intent Living 
Quarters Outlined 


PITTSBURGH PRESS 
iprll .12, 194? 


Where basement apartments 
exist and they are treated and 
remodeled as outlined below, they 
are not prohibited as living units 
under extreme housing conditions; 
however, basement apartments 
can be made attractive, sanitary, 
and safe for human habitation in 
emergencies. 

Floors and walls must be dry, 
no dark mouldy comers, adequate 
ventilation and protection from 
from 
of sufficient 
aw wa nimwr lor enough direct 
sunlight; sewers must be deep 
enough and. connect! one large 
I enough to handle waste from the 
i entire house: bathroom and kitch¬ 
en connections adequate, and the 
number of people limited to avoid 
I over-crowding of rooms or toilet 
faculties. 

It Is advisable to remember 
I that if basements are mads avaU- 
| able for living quarters, children 
will live, grow and develop In 
t h ese apartments to become the 
men and women of tomorrow, and 
are planning not only for defense 
areas of today, but for normal 
heqKhy people of tomorrow, and 
In planning basement and remodel¬ 
ings for other homes, bach ?ards 
should be renovated and cleaned 
up where necessary for play 
grounds f6r children. 

However, basemen! a^rtmenU 
musUtt|llassined as eu Atandsrd 
homes and should not be lafcjuded 
u. MW cx-iirA -. 

BLAIR POINTS, M.D 
Dtrwjter Health District 
fo. IV. 


H.R.0. Receives 
173 Applications 
In Single MontH 

efoipc 
> BMt 

; «• » 


has Increased In the 
month from almost nothing 
point where most vacancies 
desirable locations have b 
filled, states S. I. Levin, homes 
registration office director. 

The HRO received 
on* for rooms and 
-the past month, and 
directly or indirectly 
152 in addition, an u 
number of unregistered 
been rented directly by 
"As yet the demand 
roorrfa sad room and board 
*WOvo harass has Virtually been 
untouched and the supply Is 
adequate (or quite a number of 
(hontha," said Mr. Levin. 

"It may become necessary to 
Recommend to defense workers 
coming in from the outside that 
.gather than be Inconvenienced to 
itkq extent either living great 


great distances from their work 
or otherwise being unable to find 
suitable quarters locally, they al¬ 
low their families to remain at 
their present dwelling places and 
seek Individual room accommo¬ 
dations close at hand." 

There are stUl a number of un- 
flUed apartments, both furnished 
end unfurnished, In the two and 
three room slse. said Mr. Levin. 


vlded for them In Provo and other 
towns of Utah county. 

Since this county has been mads 
a defense ansa. It U assumed that 
necessary materials and supplies, 
will be made available, through 
priorities, so that owners may Im¬ 
prove and recondition surplus 
rooms so they may be rented to 
defense worker*. 

Property owners who have 


bouses that may be reconditioned 
are urged to go-ahead with the 
work as soon as possible. 

information about loans, ma¬ 
terials, priorities, etc. may be ob- 
tained from Gordon Weggland. 
state director, Federal Housing 
Administration, Dooley Building. 
Salt Lake City, Utah, or you may 
make your Inquires at the Pro¬ 
vo chamber of commerce. 



ACUTE HOUSINl 
SHORTAGE SEE* 


Property owners with 
ments or houses to rent were 
vised today by Clayton J< 

Provo chamber of commeppe «£q£p$ 
tary, to register their vacancies 
With the homes re gist ration office, 
82 West Center. 

"There la an acute shortage of 
apartments and houses to rent 
and this condition Is likely to 
get worse, said Mr. Jsnkins. 

'construction at the new GeneSa 
Works Is just getting s good start 
and as the season progresses 
many more men will be employed | 
and adequate hoidng must be pto- 


We May Not Be Able To Supply You 
With A House 

FOR RENT 

But We Are Sure We Can Help You In Finttoo 
ing Your Renibdeling Job or Sell Yotf^A Plot to 
Build That New Home on. 

See 

HEAL REALTY COMPART 

1*6 WEST CENTER ST. 

Real Estate - Loaa* and li 



REPAID 


'H v 

For Future Security 


With the Steel Plant com¬ 
ing into our community, 
there will be a demand for 
additional living quarters. 
Add a New room . . ipakf 
a small aparthent in your 
present home. 


Come In Today for Free Consultation 

ITAH TIMBER & COAL CO. 

1*4 WEST FIFTH NORTH PHONE 232 



Conversion Of Homes 
Into Multiple Family 
Uni ts Still Per mitted 

Completion Of Unfinished Dwellings 
In Any Price Range To 
Be Allowed 

By JAMES G. 'MILLER 
Real Estate Editor 

The big production schedule for new homes for defenat 
workers in the Pittsburgh district win not be uptet by U«t 
week’s ruling of the War. Production Board banning non* 
essential construction. 

Neither will it interfere with the conversion of Old homes 
info multiple family dwellings for war workers. It is ex¬ 
pected that 2500 such units will be produced here by the end 

of summer. .... . 

Although the new WPB regulation forbids the construe- 
tlon of all “non-defenae and non*f “ 


permit* con- 


— uunu uoifc V* -- r. a* 

for We have been expecting It for 


essential” building, li 
tractors to complete 
which footers have been poured. 

Only recently the WPB allocated 
materials for use In the construction 
of Aoaaoo defense homes In this 
country to be erected by private In, 
duatJK Of this number. 3700 we^ 
allocated to the Pittsburgh district. 
These- allocations are in no way] 
disturbed by the “cease and desist” 
order of the WPB. 

In fact, the order Will - 

some- materials that have been go¬ 
ing into higher-priced dwellings and 
Into commercial projects. 


-That is, It won’t hurt It mow; 

than have previous wartime ndlnga.i 


long time. . 

-There still will be lust as much 
home building here, to the under 
$8000 class, of course. The SOT"?" 
ment realizes It Is badly needed lor 
defeiue yrqfkers,. ... 

• And It will be ffir defense wortt- 
ers as the government Is not going 
to permit us to build these units 
lor non-defense workers. 

■'Furthermore, we will have to 
build the homes cloee to the mfll 
and plants, within a lately abet* 
ride by trolley and not by aul». 
, , That means that building to s^ 

In addlttr' to private building, residential areas asML Lebanon 
the government is planning to erect and Brentwood is ou*. 

_a si_..d imlle VtSTA fit A 


eral ^lousai 
seml-pfnkanent nature. 

All of these new homes to be 
built for defense workers, and for 
which priorities will be granted, will 
be to the $8000 price class and under. 
* * * 

Although the ruling appears to be 
drastic. It will qake little difference 
mtOr ■operative builders and oan- 
tSctoM nerer sshce they have been 
-nr>fining virtually all of their build- 
tog to tow-cost defense units. 

The ruling does forbid, for the 
duration, non-essential or high-cost 
residential construction. Mainte¬ 
nance and repair work may be 
started without government per 
mission If costing less than $800. 

Other exemptions are for Govern¬ 
ment projects. 

* * * 


•■ThlAMe-fcrd*’- oTthe WB will 
not hu|fc residential constriction 
here In (be Pittsburgh district.” said 
S. E. Kovach Jr, president of the 
Home Builders’ Assn, and developer 
In the South Hills. 


I 


a .onnu’WCHAA *■» „ 

■owners of the plants want the 
homes built nearby. 1 know of one 
case where a contractor la erecth^ 
200 new uni* near an Industrial 
plant and the company guaranteed 
him rent for all the homes for a 
three-year period." 

* » * 

John S. Turner, dlnstor of toe 
Building Industry's Co0*r1l, shared 
Mr. Kovach’s opinion. 

“The Important poJJ 
order specifically zt«0B <****“'“_ 
toe under construct#* will be per 
mitted to be completed," Mr. Turner 

“Present price limits to toe celling 
for new homes (under *6000) are} 
unchanged by toe order becau* toe, 
liberal statement: -homee ritoer <U- 
rectly or Indirectly- essential -to toe 
prosecution of toe war,’ gives ample 
recognition of any potential require¬ 
ments In this district. 

“It clears toe way for completion 
of the higher-priced bomw now 
under construction where materials 
are available.” 


CHARLOTTE HEWS 
April 14, 1942 


WPB Order 
To Allow 
Remodeling 

Charlotte Considered 
In War Housing Area 

1 Charlotteans can remodel dwell¬ 
ings to provide extra accommoda¬ 
tions for workers to war Industries 
or facilities, toe Priorities Office 
to toe Liberty Life Building an¬ 
nounced today, following receipt of 
order, from the War Production 
Board and the Regional Informa¬ 
tion Office For Emergency Man¬ 
agement. 

The new WPB ordeq applicable 
to all critical war housing areas, 
gives preference ratings to such 
projects when the cost of scarce 
materials does not exceed a re¬ 
modeling average of $100 per room 
; $800 per structure. 

Rent ceilings—no unit shall rent 
for more than $50 per month—ap¬ 
ply to toe remodeled ui’ts, the or¬ 
der stated. , : 

Officials of the local office also ' 
explained that to considering re¬ 
quests for prioritiee to construct 
war housing that a rule made by ■ 

S B placed distance from a wan 
Ject to the proposed dwelling 
t as a prime factor in deciding 
Its eligibility for priorities. 

RULE ON LOCATION 
“Within two miles or On a regular 
bus line when the round trip fare 
does not exceed 40 cents,’’ reads 
toe rule and it was this rule that 
has brought rejection to one or 
two projects to Charlotte, the offi¬ 
cials said. 

This new rule regarding remod¬ 
eling cost Is applicable to war 
housing areas only. In all other 
areas and for all other types of 
housing the first order applies, of¬ 
ficials said. The first order denies 
priorities for repairs to dwellings 
costing Including labor, more than 
$500 to any one year, or $1,000 If 
for farm building directly con¬ 
nected with production of fatoi 
products. 

Areas already designated as criti¬ 
cal housing areas, other than Char¬ 
lotte, include; 

NORTH CAROLINA — Elizabeth 
City. Morehead City, Wilmington, 
Jacksonville, New Bern; Fayette¬ 
ville. Durham and Greensboro. 

80UTH CAROLINA — Bennetts- 
vllle, Charleston, Beaufort, Orange¬ 
burg, Sumter, Columbia, Spartan¬ 
burg, Greenville and Camden. 


WARREN TRIBUNE-CHR0NIGLZ 
March 17, 1942 


Map Drive For Apartments 
In Private Dwellings Here 

Manufacturers, Civic Groups Predict An 
Influx Of 6,800 Workers Soon 


With an estimated 6,800 additional workers expected to 
be employed by expanding Warren plants by next Decem¬ 
ber, lbcal manufacturers aiid civic groups today prepared 
to mobilize resources to make sure that housing facilities 
for these defense employes won’t be "too little and too late.” 

According to reliable estimates 
by manufacturers, about half of 


the 6,800 new employes wUl be at 
work by July. The houatog prob¬ 
lem, therefore, la not one which 
fan be delayed.. 

An emergency meeting of the 
Warren Junior Chamber of Com¬ 
merce will be held Thursday at 
7:30 a. m. at Legion Ball, High 
NE, when this local organization 
wUl be asked to sponsor an all-out 
drive for new housing faculties. 


ENLIST WHOLE CITY 
According to present plans, the 
Jaycees WUl call on virtually every 
organization to the city for-help in 
this project, which those to charge 
beUeve affects every Warren res¬ 
ident directly or indirectly^ 

Goal of the emergency housing 
drive Is use ot present dwelling 
faculties to . the maximum, thus 
decreasing toe need for new 
homes, which can’t possibly be 
buUt to sufficient quantity by toe 
time the tpcreqsed neyd Arises. 

While vacant houses are scarce. 
It is believed tost thsre are a 
considerable number of vacant 
rooms which could, wtto A Afcii- 
mum of money and material*, ne 
toade Into kp axtayita_ ta M ouse 

Fur example, a 10-room house 
Which Is now occupied by two per- 
ions probably has tour or five 
rooms which are seldom used. 
With the addition of a pair .of 
sinks, perhaps, or otoar minor ! 
Changes, these seldom-uced room* 
could be converted Into two small 
apartments which would be entire¬ 
ly satisfactory as 'dwellings for 
defense workers. 


AID TO WAR EFFORT 

Not only wUl such apartment-, 
ization of houses help home own¬ 
ers’ Incomes it wUl also aid di¬ 
rectly to the nation’s war effort 

Manufacturers point out that ex¬ 
pansion of local war industries to 
their fuUest extent win be pos¬ 
sible only if adequate housing fhc- 
iUties can be found for new work, 
ers—men and women. 

/Horn, owners with space to 
spare can thus become a part' of 
'toe nation’s battle against toe 
Axis by making It possible for toe 
production drive to go forward 
unhampered by housing bottle¬ 
necks. 

Area in which new housing is es¬ 
pecially sought is that porto of 
High NE to Griswold NE. But ad¬ 
ditional dwellings ta other parts of 
town and even In outlying districts 
will be welcomed. 

According to Frank W. Knecht, 
Jr., sales manager of Youngstown, 
Pressed Steel Division of Mullins 
Mfg., who has been working with 
similar housing problems In other 1 
! cities during the current war em-[ 
ergency and now has agreed to as-i 
Isist In remedying' the Warren 
dwelling shortage, expansion of 
(rooming faculties will not solve 
toe problem. 


- 59 





































































National Housing Authority 
Backs ‘"War Guest ’ Program 


To bring more “living space into 
circulation,” the National Housing 
Agency has quit talking in terms of 
defense homes registration and now 
is promoting a "home utilization and 
war guest program.” 

“We thought those words would 
have more popular appeal right 
now, maybe,” an NHA official said 
last night, explaining the work 
being carried on under the program 
is already practiced by 280 homes 
registration headquarters scattered 
over the Nation. 

Linked with this popularizing of 
the idea every room should be filled 
every night, NHA is encouraging the 
conversion, repair and improvement 
of existing dwellings in communi¬ 
ties with war housing problems. 

Speaking in New York last night, 
Administrator John B. Blandford, jr., 
declared that in new building for 
all types of housing, “it is intended 
that every ingenuity be exercised 
to mini raize the use of critical ma¬ 
terials. 1 ’ 

Also, he declared, all care is be¬ 


ing taken to place war housing 
projects so as to conserve to the 
maximum rubber and gasoline and 
materials for utilities and transpor¬ 
tation equipment. 

NHA ,now has the “total ap¬ 
proach” to housing, the administra¬ 
tor said, describing the new decen¬ 
tralization plan of the agency as “a 
democratic policy of widening and 
increasing participation through a 
passing down of responsibility.” 


WASHINGTON POST 
April 14, 1942 


WALL STREET JOURNAL 
April 10, 1942 


Order on Home Remodeling 
Materials Issued by WPB 

From The Wall Street Journal Washington Bureau 

WASHINGTON—Home owners and contrac¬ 
tors in defense areas may use an A-5 preference 
rating to obtain materials for necessary re¬ 
modeling, the War Production Board announced 
yesterday. 

This assistance is designed to encourage re¬ 
modeling so that additional living accomoda¬ 
tions can be provided for war workers. 

The rating may be assigned to orders for 
materials on the defense housing critical liat 
for projects with an average cost of $100 per 
room for each dwelling unit. The maximum 
amount of scarce materials to which are rating 
may be assigned is $800 for each structure. The 
owners are not permitted to rent or sell any 
units remodeled with this assistance for more 
than $50 monthly rent, less certain service 
charges, and the sales price cannot exceed $6.- 
000 for each single family accommodation, the 
Board said. , 

In order to use this preference rating, build¬ 
ers and contractors are required to apply indi¬ 
vidually for approval at the local offices of the 
Federal Housing Administration on special ap¬ 
plication forms. 


WAUKEGAN NEWS 
April 7, 1942 


Remodeling 

Questions and Answers 


Q. What must I do to be assur¬ 
ed that our property can be re¬ 
conditioned to make it income pro¬ 
ducing? 

A. Make out an application 
through the Homes Registration 
office, 8 S. Sheridan rd., Wauke¬ 
gan, Ill., for free technical advice. 

Q. Who gives this advice and 
why is there no charge? 

A. The federal government ap¬ 
propriated a sum of money to pay 
architects because of the urgent 
need for housing in defense areas 

Q. Who are these architects? 

A. Men who have served the 
Home Owner’s Loan corporation 
for many years. 

Q.What i« tie extent of the r 
ad vie 

A. A few days after your re¬ 
quest is received, one of these ar¬ 
chitects will call to inspect your 
properly. He will make prelimin¬ 
ary sketches to determine the ex¬ 
tent Of reconditioning as he sees 
:t, according to your desire, and 
'n keeping with defense housing ) 
•equirements. He will furnish ||tie 
prints and prepare a report jBth 
mating.the cost for each partfibl]& 
ar klnA Of work and the cos* aft 
^quipmlnt to be installed, and Hal 
all priority material needed \Htlf 
necessary fittings. 

Q. After this counsel or service 
is rendered, am I obliged to have 
the work done and to hire these 
architect* or some other govern¬ 
ment agencies? 

A. No. Your application only 
calls for an Inspection of the nro- 
perty, «*a -estimate of costs ind 
prelimiJt*IK sketches. This is&aid 
for government witba.no 

obligating yoiVbut to give pref¬ 
erence in occupandy In nar*an*pn- 
gaged in defense activity. 


60 
















Conveision of Big Houses 


To Apartments Is Explained 


Bankers, Real Estate Men and Contractors 
Are Told of Need for Additional 
Defense Units In This Area 


South Shore bankers, real estate 
men and contractors heard how 
large single homes may be divided 
Into apartments under the “Con¬ 
version for Defense]’ program 
operated by the Homo's Registra¬ 
tion office In Chamber of Commerce 
hall yesterday afternoon. 

Speakers Included Walter Neaves, 
president of the Federal Home 
Owners’ Rank of the New England 
district; D. J. LeHand, state ad¬ 
ministrator of the Home Owners’ 
Loan corporation; James A. Mc¬ 
Laughlin, executive assistant to 
James F, Malley, state director of 
the Federal Housing administra¬ 
tion; U. H. Hopkins, field repre¬ 
sentative of the Division or De¬ 
fense Housing of New England; K, 
J, MacEwan, chairman of the 
Homes Registration office, and Jo¬ 
seph B, Grossman, general chair¬ 
man of the Conversion committee, 
who presided. 

"We must provide more privately 
financed housing In this area." 
<lrii**ittiiti told the meeting. “Every 
new limiting unit, large or small. 
Is s defense home." 

(Srossmnn explained (hat his com¬ 
mittee will eonulst of one repre¬ 
sent u live from each of the 31) 
mmiU1 ptiIIIle* In the Quincy de¬ 
fense area, nnd that each communi¬ 
ty will appoint a local committee 
to assist in getting applications 
for the conversion of largs single 
family houses Into two or more 
a pun me n is. Applications will bs 
••screened'’ before going t<v the 
Home Owners Loan corporation. 

Demited floor plans and speci¬ 
fication costs will be furnished 
free to each home owner by the 
H. 0 L. C. if the preliminary ap¬ 
plication is approved. 

Praising financial institutions, 
contractors and lumber dealers for 
their cooperation. MacEwan told 
how a promise made to Charles F. 
Palmer, housing coordinator, that 
private enterprise would construct 
3.75U units in this defense area by 
the end of 1941, had been more than 
fulfilled. 

“I can also see about 1000 new 
units in the Quincy. Weymouth and 
Drainiree area this year," MacEwan 
said. 

“It will pay any home owner to 
convert a large house into two or 
more apartments under the H.O.L.C. 
plan.” MacEwan continued. 


“Materials for this type of re¬ 
construction are given an A-2 or 
A-4 priority which is the highest 
priority today given to any build- 
lug operation. Large houses In 
the state will be a drug In the 
market, small units esn be readily 
rented, thereby Increasing the 
owners' Income materially. Our 
Homes Registration Office is opsn 
from 9 o'clock to 5 o’clock to ssrvs 
ths clients of you rssl estatt msn, 
the banks and ths gsneral public. 
We must have your complats as¬ 
sistance in this «U out effort in 
the construction of defense homos." 

MacRwan also explained absolute 
necessity of banks, real estate men 
and home owners cooperating with 
the present fair rent committee. 

“If there la lack of cooperation 
with the present voluntary com¬ 
mittee, the federal rent adminis¬ 
trator will he appointed for the 
Quincy area and a staff office set 
up here which will compel owners 
t» accept the administrator's de¬ 
cision or be prosecuted under the 
federal law for raising rents 'ovsr 
the fslr rent date.' Mr. MacEwan 
warned. “The voluntary fair rent 
committee of local cltlsens ap¬ 
pointed by Mayor Durgln last fall, 
can render n more fair decision In 
all cases than can any federal 
fair rent administrator." 

Neaves spoke briefly on the Job 
that had already been done by capi¬ 
tal and building In providiug de¬ 
fense homes and said, “From now 

on the 'conversion* program offere 
practically the only field In which 
banks, co-operative flanks and sav¬ 
ings banks can Invest money be¬ 
cause priorities on building ma¬ 
terials make it impossible to make 
loans on other types of property 
construction." 

D. J. LeHand. state administrator 
of HOLC explained the work of 
hta department In providing free 
architectural services and specifica¬ 
tions. 

G. H. Hopkins explained the 
priorities features of building de¬ 
fense homes and the services his 
department rendered in coordinat¬ 
ing all defense building. 

James A. McLaughlin of FHA ex¬ 
plained briefly the FHA's part In 
insuring loans both on "conversion’’ 
program and on general FHA in¬ 
sured loans. 


Home Conversion Declared 


Solution of Housing Problem 


A .needy. Inexpensive volution of 
the vital Washington housing prob¬ 
lem and those of other critical da- 
tense areas throughout the Nation !• 
readily available through the 
medium of the conversion unit of 
the Defense Houtlng Administration, 
if financial and construction dif¬ 
ficulties can be Ironed out. Abner H, 
Ferguson, administrator of the Fed¬ 
eral Housing Division of the new 
National Housing Administration, 
declared yesterday. 

In Washington alone there are 
available about 4000 privately owned 
homes, capable of conversion into 
suitable dwellings for defense work¬ 
ers if immediate financing end con¬ 
struction were possible. John F. 
Klar, supervisor of the conversion 
unit sala yesterday. An excellent 
indication of the extent to which the 
program has lagged because of the 
present obstacles Is that onlv 110 ap¬ 
plications have been received out 
of the potential 5000 since the units 
inception the first of lest Novemoer, 
Klar added. 


Can Only Give Advice Now 

As the Conversion Unit functions 
now, It can render only technical 
advice to home owners and mska 
recommendations that rehabilita¬ 
tion of Iho homes be csrriod pul If 
th* OKtimsted future Income from 
reconstructed property Justifies the 
cost of Improvement, it can oner 
mo ftnenclel uslatance. Tho Federal 
Government participate! In th* 
financing only In those instances 
where the FHA will Insure loins 
made to applicants by privet*, Fed¬ 
erally Improved lenrtlng.egencles. 


-Answers to the Difficulty 

Federal Housing Administrator 
Ferguson, Klar and Charles W. 
Suppler, general manager of the 
Electric Home snd Term Authority, 
are In substantial •iteement lhal 
the solution of the finenclng diffi¬ 
culty lies In: 

1. The abatement of Ihc string¬ 
ent rules as to the type of loans 
FHA can Insure, by extending 
tho Federtl Insurance of private 

loans In Include those classified 
below A-l. _ . 

2. The assumption of some Fed¬ 
eral Lending Agencv of the re¬ 
sponsibility of lending Federsl 
funds directly to applicants, rather 
than using private Institution* as 
* medium. 


eedleet Solution 

immenting upon the FHA'l 
r. Ferguson said that he hao 
.cognised that the speediest 
.apest solution of the housing 
n ley In a program such »< 
inversion Unit is trying tc 
e. The Government reallxei 
certain percentage of Iho 
directly advanced to finance 
onelruction will be 
ost and It I# probable that 
advanced to pay the cost of 
Ant existing facilities, which 
, it least partially secured by 
me owners' equity, will hive 
,what better chenoe of being 
ed to the Government, Far- 
added 


New Defense 
Housing Plan 
Well Received 

The letter which the Homes 
Registration office sent to the real 
estate agencies in the Quincy De¬ 
fense area, explaining Its plan for 
assisting home owners to chsnge 
over expensive single dwellings 
into productive apartment houses, 
has had a most favorable reception. 
Both agents and owners ars in¬ 
terested and banks are asking what 
plans have been outlined for financ¬ 
ing such alterations. 

“In brief." says Joseph B Gross- 
man. general chairman of the com¬ 
mittee on defense conversion, “the 
procedure is this: The owner of a 
single dwelling who wishes to re¬ 
condition It for two or more fami¬ 
lies. makes tn application to the 
Homea Registration office, which 
refers It to the local Vemmlttee on 
defense conversion In the town 
where the property Is situated. 
After looking Into the merits of the 
csso the local committee returns 
Hie appllcntion to the Homes Regis¬ 
tration office, with its approval or 
objections If the apnllesilpn is 
nnnroved the Homes Registration 
offlcs forwards It to the Home 
Owners' Loan Corporation, which 
then, after a survey of the premises, 
prepares for the applicant, without 
charge, a complete architect's floor 
plan showing how the property can 
be converted to make two or more 
units. This plan ts accompanied 
by s list of specifications and an 
estimate of the maximum cost of 
the alterations, hssed on the use of 
high-grade mnterlala throughout. 
The applicant Is then quite at 
liberty to get estimates from his 
own builder or any other who. per¬ 
haps ran do the work for less ihan 
Ihe HOLC's estimate, by substitut¬ 
ing lower-cost materials wherever 
they ran hr used without skimping 
the Job The financing of the altera¬ 
tion* can be done through the ap¬ 
plicant’* bank or any other lend¬ 
ing institution whose loans are in¬ 
sured by the Federal Housing Ad¬ 
ministration." 

Army snd navy officers and ship¬ 
building experts assigned to this 
station visit the Homes Registra¬ 
nt, . office almost every day. look¬ 
ing for living quarters. The con¬ 
version of many properties now 
going a-begging for occupants will 
provide additional living accommo¬ 
dations for the city’s increasing 
population, will enable the Homes 
Registration office to offer a wider 
choice of rooms and apartments 
to homeseekers. snd will gladden 
the heart of the house owner who 
sees two dollars of Income rolling 
In where only ono or none were to 
be seen before. 

QUINCY PLAN 
IS PRAISED 

The conversion for defense plan 
orlilnated by the home, registration 
office In Quincy throughout the 
Quincy South Shore defense area 
has been lauded by the federal.hous- 
lng administration In * letter received 
this morning by E. J. MacEwan, di¬ 
rector of the homea registration of- 
floe, from John F. Malley, director 
of Massachusetts. 

The plan, which haa been aet up 
under the direction of Joseph B. 
Oroeaman, as chairman, will embrace 
some 30 communities In and around 
the Qulnty district. The appointment 
of 30 town and city chairmen from 
each of these communities will be 
announced by the chairman within 
a few days. Each local chairman 
will then appoint a small committee 
In hla own community, whoee work 
will be to co-ordinate with the gen¬ 
eral plan, with the local chairman 
serving as a memer of the large 
oommlttae of 30. 

Application from any of the area* 
Hated below may be sent to Director 
Edwin J. MacEwan, homaa registra¬ 
tion office, 1535 Hancock street, 
Quincy: Abtngton, Avon, Braintree, 
Brockton, Canton, Cohaaeet, Dad- 
ham, Hanover, Holbrook, Hull, Nor- 
well, Norwood, Quincy. Randolph, 
Rockland, Sharon, Stoughton, Way- 
mouth and whitman. 


FHA Approves 
Conversion 
Of Dwellings 

The "conversion for defense- 
plan originated by the Homes Reg¬ 
istration office In Quincy through¬ 
out the Quincy South Shore de- 
first area haa been lauded by tbe 
Federal Housing Administration In 
a letter received this morning by 
E J. MacEwan. director of the 
Homee Registration office, by John 
F. Malley, director of Massachu¬ 
setts. 

Tha plan, which ha. bean >et up 
uuder the direction of Joseph B. 
Groaaman. a« chairman, will em¬ 
brace aotna 30 communities In and 
around tha Quincy district. Tha 
appointment of 30 lown end city 
chairmen from each of these com¬ 
munities will he announced by ilia 
chairman within a few days Kadi 
local chairman will then appoint a 
•mail commltiaa In hla own com¬ 
munity, whose work will ha lo co¬ 
ordinate witb the general plan, 
w.lh Ilia local chairman aarvlng 
aa a member of the large commit¬ 
tee of 30. 

Tha prime purpoit of tha emlra 
plan I. to acquaint every home 
owner with the poiilhllUles of the 
"oenverilnn for defense" program, 
fills letter received from Ihe Hate 
director of Fedrral Homing Admin¬ 
istration thli morning wag ga fol¬ 
low.: "i hart a copy of tha letter 
which you aent to 310 rtal titita 
man In tha Quincy area, calling 
attention to tha facilities of the 
Homea Reglatratton office and the 
FHA title I financing plan for Im¬ 
provement, modernisation and con¬ 
version of older properties to pro¬ 
vide additional rental unlit and 
commend you on the eervlce being 
given. 

"Improvement of older propertlet 
through modernisation or conver¬ 
sion under ihe Federal Housing Ad¬ 
ministration title I loan plan haa 
widespread benefits accruing not 
only to the property ownere and 
th*. city, but to the owners of ad¬ 
jacent properties and to the Indus¬ 
tries whose employes are provided 
with comfortable dwelling units. 

"The plan la so attractive that I 
feel confident that many In a posi¬ 
tion to do so will take advantage 
of It." 

Applications from any of tha 
areas Hated below* may be sent to 
Director Edwin J. MacEwan. 
Komea Registration office. 1535 
Hancock street, Quincy: 


Repairs Speed 
Added Space 
For Housing 

Weshinglon dc/cnoc housing la 
being speeded by the recunditionlng 
of existing homes and the conver¬ 
sion of alum sections. John F. Klur, 
In charge of the reconditioning sec¬ 
tion of the Defense Housing Regis¬ 
try. said yesterday. 

More than A0 applications for free 
technical services have been re¬ 
ceived by the reconditioning section 
in the past week from Washington 
home owners, he reported. 

Klar said that it was impossible 
to eitlmate the number of available 
homes capable of conversion but ex¬ 
pressed tho hope that hundreds of 
property owners In Washington 
would take advanUge of the free 
services. 

"Every home that can be rebuilt," 
Klar said, "will make unnecessary 
o new unit of construction." 

The reconditioning plan provides 
that property owners desiring assist¬ 
ance in remodeling their homes 
shall make application fov the free 
services at the office of Defense 
Housing Registry in Post Square. 

Every application will be inves¬ 
tigated by a HOLC housing tech¬ 
nician who will inspect each prop¬ 
erty und furnish to the owner re¬ 
conditioning cost estimates and 
probable revenuos obtainable from 
remodeled unite. The actual financ¬ 
ing of the remodeling will be han¬ 
dled through private lending agen¬ 
cies. approved by the FHA, It was 
stated. 

The maximum rent which can 
be charged for a recondltonled unit, 
unfurnished, will be $50 a month. 
Renovated substandard dwellings 
cannot be sold tt s pries in sxesss 
of $6000. 


61 







36 


THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE—APRIL 5. 1942 


Early Results of Housing Conversion Drive Prove 
Encouraging 


Program Gets Underway 
in Greater Quincy Area 


Free Technical Service 
Offered Property Owners 

th§ program to provide ad “ 


•tf 

ditional homing for war workers 
and Army and Navy personnel 
through th* conversion of large 
■tnictures into amall apartments is 
devolped as far as possible in the 
Quincy-South Shore area, this type 
of w*rk and the new nomes now 
being built will be sufficient to 
house all the Workers coming into 
the area," E. J. MacEwan, director 
of the Homes Registration Office in 
Quincy, said yesterday. 

If the potentialities of conversion 
housing are not realized, Mr. Mac¬ 
Ewan indicated that a serious hous¬ 
ing shortage might develop when 
the new Hinfham shipyard begins 
operations Judging from the re¬ 
sults of the drive for co iversion 
which has Just begun in the area, 
however, he expressed confidence 
in the success of the undertaking. 

Although referred to as the Great¬ 
er Quincy defense area, the zone in¬ 
cludes sections as distant as Cohasset, 
Brockton, Norwood, Hyde Park and 
Dorchester. Through the efforts of 
a Convert for Defense Committee, 
of which Joseph B. Grossman is 
chairman, approximately 1000 appli¬ 
cations are anticipated, of which 
Mr. MacEwan estimates from 500 
to 600 will be acceptable. 

The number of additional dwell¬ 
ing units which can be realized will 
be substantial, since each conversion 
will average at least two more units 
because many large houses are re¬ 
modeled to provide three and four 
apartments, he said. 

Application blanks are to be avail¬ 
able shortly through the Convert 
for Defense committee chairmen in 
the 30 communities in the area and 
assistance will be given in filling 
them out. 

Whop the application is accepted, 
the property owner is given free 
architectural technical service by 
Ijome Owners' Loan Corp. experts 


High priority ratings are granted 
for this type of work when critical 
materials are needed, and liberal 
financing is provided through the 
F H. A. 

Although the drive is confined to 
the Greater Quincy area, property 
owners, north and west of Boston, 
desiring to avail themselves of the 
service must also apply to the Quin¬ 
cy Homes Registration office. Mr 
MacEwan stuted that there is a need 
for a similar office north of Boston 
and that one may be opened shortly 
In Lynn. Homes Registration of¬ 
fices have lately been opened in 
Pittsfield and Springfield. 

The proposal that Summer homes, 
hotels and boarding houses in the 
South Shore area be winterized and 
made available for rental has been 
enthusiastically received by numer¬ 
ous property owners, and one 
financial institution is reported to 
nave begun work on over a score 
of its properties in Hull, Mr. Mac¬ 
Ewan said. 


Aid in Finding Homes Extended 
Aircraftsmen by Registration 
Bureau; Applications Invited 

A helping hajid for Boeing workers who need homes is being 
extended through the co-operation of several agencies, government 
and otherwise, whose efforts are being concentrated In Seattle's 
home registration office. Btaffed by volunteer workers and headed 
Hayden Orundin,, the HRO serves as a clearing house for both 


landlords and prospective tenants. 

To help single men and wom¬ 
en secure rooms or room, and 
board, the HRO has set up 
branh offices in the Y.M.C.A. 
and Y.W.C.A. These are known 
as room registration bureaus 
with men applying at the Y.M. 
and women at the Y.W. The 
men's bureau is under the di¬ 
rection of Mrs. Margaret B. 
Parrot, tha women s under Mrs. 
Elizabeth Cruver. Between 175 
and 200 applications are filled 
each week by these offices 
which have listings of 800 
Hi** t in excess of the demand. 

.. launched by the HRO is 
a reconditioning program, with 
the aim of converting buildings 
and large residence* into apart¬ 
ments to aid in relieving the 
housing shortage. An expert will 
be furnished by the Home Own¬ 
ers Loan Corp. to give free ad¬ 
vice and cost estimates to any¬ 
one interested in converting 
property. 

The work may be financed 
through Che Federal Housing 
Administration, under title 1 
and title 2 loans. Already 83 
applications have been made 
for the service, with all owners 
whose estimates have been com¬ 
pleted signifying their Intention 
of going ahead with the work. 
Conversions have Included ev¬ 
erything from making a single 
home into a duplex to the big 
job of making a 28-unlt apart¬ 
ment house of the huge Tusko 
tavern on the Bothell highway. 


150 Apply For 
New Service To 
Improve Homes 

^Possible relief from Seattle’s 
housing shortage,was seen today 
In applications of more than 150 
persons for a new free technical 
service being offered by the Hone 
Owners’ Loan Corporation in con¬ 
nection with problems of renovat¬ 
ing old homes or converting them 
t* apartment units. 

Kenneth Phelan, volunteer 
worker in the reconditioning divi¬ 
sion of the Homes Registration Of¬ 
fice, Municipal Defense Commis¬ 
sion, estimated that 200 applica¬ 
tions will have been made by the 
end of the week. 

The new service, he said, is at¬ 
tracting many applications from 
persons who ordinarily could not 
afford to hire private technicians. 
The H. O. L. C. provide- a techni¬ 
cian to estimate costs of renova¬ 
tion or conversion projects, cost of 
materials and provide preliminary 
sketches of plans. Owners may ne¬ 
gotiate loans for such work 
through accredited agencies and 
banks. 




An Increasing number of persons, 
who have property suitable for con¬ 
version into dwelling ftccommodi* 
tlons for defense workers* families, 
are hastening to lake advantage of 
free technical suggestions offered 
by the government, Hayden G un*' 
den, director of the Homes Regis* j 
nation Bureau, said today. 

The bureau, a municipal dcftty4 
agency, is in the Rialto Building. 

Twenty-nine such application* 
were received on Monday and 
Tuesday. The properties ore In¬ 
spected by construction experts 
from the Home Owners' Loan Cor¬ 
poration. who mak§<#peclflc recom¬ 
mendations and set maximum cost 
estimates. 

Financing Is Arranged 

If owners still wish to proceed, 
the papers are hurried to S*4 
Francisco for approval by Pacific' 
Coast executives of the H. O L. Cj 
and. if applications are approved 
financing is arranged through pri¬ 
vate channels. Many owners ar| 
financing their own reconstruction 
I work, however, according to 
• Grunden. 

A wiae range- of properties are 
included in properties being con¬ 
sidered for remodeling, it was 
pointed out. They range from 
Tusko Tavern, on Bothell Way. to 
older, larger residences suitable for 
conversion into duplexes or apart¬ 
ments. 

Tavern May Be Apartment 

The Tusko Tavern, a large 
structure constructed several years 
ago for dancing and entertainment 
purposes, could be converted into 
28 or 32 two- and three-room apart¬ 
ments. according to surveyor^,. 
Stanchly constructed, the build¬ 
ing has extensive facilities, includ¬ 
ing a heating plant said to have 
cost about $5,000. 

"Some people, including govern¬ 
ment officials, thought we'd have 
a great deal of poor-grade property 
listed for conversion,” commented 
Grunden. "They are frankly sur¬ 
prised at the number of homes less 
than 20 years old which owners are 
agreeable to converting into 
duplexes.” 


62 


















HOMES IN AREA 
PERMITTED TO 
BE REMODELED 

Conversion Into Multi¬ 
ple-Dwelling Units 
Still Possible 

Remodeling of homes into mul¬ 
tiple-unit dwellings in the Chatta¬ 
nooga area need not be -stopped by 
the “freezing" of plumbing and oth¬ 
er “critical materials," Arch Faidley 
Jr., director of the Chattanooga 
Homes Registration Off ce, an¬ 
nounced today. 

Under a War Production Board 
order effective May 10, "an A-5 pref¬ 
erence rating is assigned to deliv¬ 
eries to builders and their sub-con¬ 
tractors of materials entering into 
low-cost remodeling projects in de¬ 
fense areas.” 

Mr. Faidley pointed out the order 
is limited in coverage to projects for 
which the cost of materials which 
are on the defense housing critical 
list does not exceed an average of 
$100 per room for each dwelling 
unit. Scarce materials for each 
structure cannot cost more than 
$800. 

The new ruling answers the ques¬ 
tion of many would-be remodelers: 
“Why does the Government urge us 
to remodel our homes to furnish 
more dwelling, units for military 
personnel and defense workers and 
then freeze the materials we need 
for rmodeling?" 

RENTAL LIMITS 

Projects receiving the preference 
rating must be located in desig 
nated defense housing critical areas 
such as Chattanooga, and the mate¬ 
rials for which a rating is granted 
is limited to that specified on the 
defense housing critical list. Own¬ 
ers are not permitted to sell or rent 
any dwelling unit included in the 
project at prices higher than those 
approved on the application. In any 
case the monthly rental—less cer¬ 
tain service charges—cannot ex¬ 
ceed $50 for each dwelling unit and 
the sales price cannot exceed $5,000 
for each single family accommoda¬ 
tion. 

Residents of this area who wish 
to remodel their homes into apart¬ 
ments may apply for approval at the 
Chattanooga Homes Registration Of¬ 
fice, 819 Broad Street, and obtain 
advice on making loans 


The preference rating will be ap¬ 
plied for by the builder and the ap¬ 
plication form will be filed by him 
in the local office of the Federal 
Housing Administration, Federal 
Building. 

Mr. Faidley asserted the term, “de¬ 
fense housing critical area," applies 
very directly to the Chattanooga 
area, as the housing situation for 
military personnel and defense 
workers is decidedly “critical" here. 
The number of applications for liv¬ 
ing quarters far exceeds the num¬ 
ber registered with his office and 
he urged all owners who have va¬ 
cant property to register it imme¬ 
diately in order that relief may be 
given through rental or sale to mili¬ 
tary or defense personnel. 



Repairing • Renovizing • Modernizing Homes 

Both are patriotic duties 

One is willingly doing without the things needed 
for the war machinery. The other, and equally as 
patriotic, is having done such renovizing and 
modernizing on the house, permissible under 
existing priorities, that will insure upkeep. 

Restrictions are being made just as elastic as 
possible—and you’ll be surprised how many 
essential things CAN be done, ^-r example, if 
you have surplus room, which can be converted 
into an apartment, you help relieve the acute 
housing shortage. An Eberly Plan Supervisor is 
thoroughly conversant with what CAN, and 
CANNOT be done and will be glad to help you 
plan—then arrange for our trained craftsmen to do 
the work—whatever it may be — doing it 
expeditiously and with the economy of a single 
overhead and with ONE responsibility—OURS. 

If it is outside painting we suggest you specify 
the New Dupont House Paint—for every reason— 
its rich body; its thorough coverage; its deep 
penetrating qualities; its freedom from cracking, 
checking or peeling—and the exclusive Dupont 
feature, developing a powder that rolls off the dust 
and dirt with the rain. Thus keeping the paint spic, 
span and fresh. 

You don't have to be concerned about 
the cost for renovizing or painting — 

The Eberly Financing Plan will arrange 
that conveniently and confidentially. 

A. Eberly’s Sons 

Before You Invest—Investigate 

1108 K N.W. J:;°y" r DI. 6557 


- 63 - 




























SECTION III - APPENDIX 


Priority Regulations of the War Production Board 

Advance release of April 10, 1942 relating to 
remodeling and rehabilitation and procedures 
under Preference Rating Order P-110 

Digest of Preference Rating Order P-110 

Preference Rating Order P-110 in full 

Form PD-400 - Application for Preference Rating 
on Materials Entering into Low Cost Remodeling 
ProJects. 

Form PD-200 - 200-a- Application for Project Rating 
Conservation Order L-41 

Specific illustrations of effect of Order L-41 







ADVANCE RELEASE: For FRIDAY MORNING papers, April 10, 1942 


WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 

Division of Industry Operations WPB 855 


The War Production Board today moved to make it easier for owners to remodel housing 
that can provide additional living accommodations essential to the war program. 

In order P-110, effective immediately, an a- 5 preference rating is assigned to deliv¬ 
eries to builders and their subcontractors of materials entering into low cost remodeling 
projects in defense areas. 

It is limited to projects for which the cost of materials which are on the Defense 
Housing Critical List does not exceed an average of $100 per room for each dwelling unit. 
The scarce materials for each structure cannot cost more than $800. 

Projects must be located in Defense Housing Critical Areas and the material for which 
a rating is granted is limited to that specified on the Defense Housing Critical List. 
Owners are not permitted to sell or rent any dwelling unit included in the project at prices 
higher than those approved on the application. In any case the monthly rental—less cer¬ 
tain service charges—cannot exceed $50 for each dwelling unit and the sales price cannot 
exceed $6,000 for each single family accommodation. 

Builders may apply for rating on Form PD-406 which should be filed in the local office 
of the Federal Housing Administration. Copies of PD-406 are now being printed and soon 
will be available at any local office of the FHA, at any priority office of the Bureau of 
Field Operations of the War Production Board, or at banks, building and loan associations 
or other housing institutions. Information regarding the Defense Housing Critical Areas 
List and the Defense Housing Critical List may be obtained at any local office of the FHA. 

Remodeling projects rated under P-110 are exempt from the provision of Conservation 
Order L-41, issued April 9, 1942, which restricts construction. 


- 65 


WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 
DIVISION OF INDUSTRY OPERATIONS 


ORDER NUMBER 
SUBJECT 
ISSUED 
EXPIRES 

PURPOSE 

ADMINISTERING UNIT 

PREFERENCE RATING 
ASSIGNED 

FORM OF 

APPLICATION 

EXTENSION 

CONDITIONS OF 
APPROVAL 


RESTRICTIONS 


DIGEST - Preference Rating Order P-IIO 


P-llO 

Material Entering into Low Cost Remodeling Projects 
April 8, 1942. 

Four months from date issued unless sooner revoked. Thereafter, de¬ 
liveries to builder already rated shall be completed and subcontractor 
or supplier may continue to extend ratings to fill orders or contracts 
hereunder, or to replace in inventory material delivered hereunder. 

To provide additional living accommodations essential to the war program. 

Priorities Bureau, Housing Branch 

preference Rating A-5 is assigned to deliveries to builder, subcontractor 
or supplier, or supplier of Defense Housing Critical List materials 
specifically authorized on approved copy of Application to be incorpo¬ 
rated into Remodeling Project, or to replace in inventory of subcontractor 
or supplier, materials so delivered. 

Builder files application PD-406 in triplicate, with Federal Housing 
Administration Field Office having Jurisdiction over locality in which 
project is located. 

Builder, subcontractor or supplier endorses on each purchase order or 
contract, a statement inform specified, manually signed, and the builder 
or subcontractor (not supplier) serves, with first order only, one copy 
of the P-110 order and one copy of the complete list of material ap¬ 
proved on the application, on each person with whom he places purchase 
orders rated hereunder. Manufacturer may not extend to acquire mate¬ 
rials, but may use as evidence under Production Requirements Plan. 

Order is Issued under following conditions, all of which must be met 
or order is void. 

(1) Project must be in Defense Critical Area. 

(2) Project must provide additional housing accommodation * 

(3) Project will not require critical materials costing in excess of 

$100 per room as defined, or in any case, more than $800 for any 
one structure. Living, Dining, Bed, Bath rooms, kitchen, count 
one room each. Kitchenettes, dinettes, count one-half room each. 

(4) Owner will not rent or sell during the emergency, at prices in 

excess of those set forth in approved application, nor in any 
case, rent for more than $50 per month or sell for more than 
$6,000 per single family structure. 

Ratings may only be applied to quantities and kinds of materials au¬ 
thorized on approved copy of application, and not for greater quantities 
or earlier deliveries than necessary to maintain construction schedule. 
In addition, a supplier may only extend ratings to delivery of materials 
to be sold without substantial change in form, to fill order or con- 


- 66 - 











tract rated hereunder, or to replace in his inventory materials so sold, 
to maintain minimum practicable inventory. Subcontractor or supplier 
may accumulate rated orders to acquire minimum quantity of any item on 
customary terms, but must extend within three months after he becomes 
entitled to apply it. 

RECORDS 

In addition to records required to be kept under Priority Regulation 
No. 1, as amended, the builder and each subcontractor and supplier shall 
retain for two years, endorsed copies of all orders or contracts, wheth¬ 
er accepted or rejected, segregated from all other purchase orders or 
contracts, or filed in such manner as to permit segregation for Inspection. 

VIOLATIONS 

Those willfully violating any provision of this order may be prohibited 
from receiving delivery of any material, subject to allocation and such 
further action may be taken as is deemed appropriate, Including a recom¬ 
mendation for prosecution under Section 35 a - Criminal Code (18 U.S.C. 80 ) . 

REVOCATION 

Director of Industry Operations may revoke at any time. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Address communications related hereto, to 

War Production Board 

Washington, D. C. 

Ref. -P-110. 

PRIORITY 

REGULATION NO. 

1 This order and all transactions affected thereby, are subject to the 
provisions of Priority Regulation No. 1, as amended from time to time, 
except to the extent that any provisions hereof may be inconsistent 
therewith, in which case the provisions of this order shall govern. 


- 67 


TITLE 32—NATIONAL DEFENSE 

CHAPTER IX—WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 


Subchapter B—DIVISION OF INDUSTRY OPERATIONS 

PREFERENCE RATING ORDER No. P-110—MATERIAL ENTERING 
INTO LOW-COST REMODELING PROJECTS 

Name of Builder 

Address INFORMATION COPY 

Serial No. 

Preference Rating Order.—For the purpose of providing additional living accommodations 
essential to the war program, a preference rating is hereby assigned, upon the following terms, to 
deliveries to the above-named Builder and to deliveries to his Subcontractors and Suppliers in order 
to facilitate the acquisition of Material for the Remodeling Project hereinafter described: 

(A) Definitions. 

(1) “Builder” means the specific person to whom this Order is addressed above. 

(2) “Subcontractor” means any person with whom the Builder has placed a contract pursuant to which the 

Subcontractor has agreed to furnish both labor on, and Defense Housing Material to be incorporated in, 
the Remodeling Project. 

(3) “Supplier” means any person 

(i) who supplies Defense Housing Material which he has not in whole or in part manufactured, processed, 

assembled, or the form of which he has not otherwise substantially changed, and 

(ii) with whom a contract or purchase order has been placed for delivery, to the Builder, to a Subcon¬ 

tractor or to another Supplier, of Defense Housing Material which will enter into the construction of 
the Remodeling Project. 

(4) “Application” means the Builder’s application on Form PD-406 No___, dated_..___, 

as finally approved. In order to obtain the preference rating assigned hereunder, such Application must 
be submitted in triplicate to the local office of the Federal Housing Administration having jurisdiction 
over the locality in which the Remodeling Project is located. 

(5) “Remodeling Project” means the project described in the Application, as finally approved. 

(6) “Shelter Rental” means the total rent charged less reasonable allowances for such of the following services 

and utilities as may be provided and paid for by the landlord and included in the total rent: water (hot 
and cold), heat and electricity for tenant’s quarters and for public areas, gas, janitor services, furni¬ 
ture, ranges and refrigerators, telephone, garage, and other services and utilities of a similar nature. 

(7) “Sales Price” means the total consideration paid for the housing accommodation sold, including the consid¬ 

eration for any land, building and improvements included in the sale. 

(8) “Defense Housing Material” means any Material included in the Defense Housing Critical List and only 

such Material. 

(9) “Defense Housing Critical Area” means any area included in the Defense Housing Critical Areas List. 

$ 

(Note.—Copies of Form PD-406 and the Defense Housing Critical List may be obtained from any local 
office of the Federal Housing Administration, from any priority office of the Bureau of Field Oper¬ 
ations of the War Production Board, the Housing Branch of the Division of Industry Operations, 
War Production Board, Washington, D. C., or from- banks, building and loan associations, or other 
home financing institutions. Information regarding the Defense Housing Critical Areas List may 
be obtained from any local office of the Federal Housing Administration.) 

16 - 27772-1 


68 







(B) Conditions of Approval.—This Order has been issued upon the following conditions and understandings, and the 

rating hereby assigned shall be void unless all of them are met: 

(i) the project is located in a Defense Housing Critical Area; 

(ii) the project will provide more housing accommodations than existed^prior to the initiation of the project; 

(iii) the project will not require for its completion Defense Housing Material having a cost for each additional 

housing accommodation included in the project, in excess of $100 times the number of rooms in such 
accommodation and, under no circumstances, in excess of $800 per structure. Only living, dining, and 
sleeping rooms, bathrooms and kitchens are to be counted. Each such room will be counted as one 
room and kitchenettes and dinettes as one-half room each; 

(iv) the owner of the project is not to rent or sell any housing accommodations included in the project, at any 

time during the National Emergency declared to exist by the President on September 8, 1939, at prices 
in excess of those set forth in the Application, as finally approved. Such prices shall not exceed reason¬ 
able prices for the type of housing accommodations offered. Under no circumstances shall the monthly 
shelter rental exceed $50 per housing accommodation, nor shall the sales price exceed $6,000 per single¬ 
family structure. 

(C) Assignment of Preference Rating.—Preference Rating A-5 is hereby assigned 

(1) to deliveries to the Builder of those quantities and kinds of Defense Housing Material which may be spe¬ 

cifically authorized for such rating on the approved copy of the Application returned to the Builder; 

(2) to deliveries to a Subcontractor of Defense Housing Material which will be delivered to the Builder under 

the rating hereby assigned or will be physically incorporated into Defense Housing Material which will 
be so delivered or which will be used, within the limitation of paragraph (E) (2) hereof, to replace in 
such Subcontractor’s inventory Defense Housing Material so delivered; 

(3) to deliveries to a Supplier of Defense Housing Material, which will ultimately be delivered to the Builder under 

the rating hereby assigned or which will be physically incorporated into Defense Housing Material to be so 
delivered, or which will be used, within the limitations of paragraph (E) (2) hereof, to replace in such Sup¬ 
plier’s inventory Defense Housing Material so delivered. 

(D) Persona Entitled to Apply Preference Rating.—The preference rating hereby assigned may, within the limitations 

of paragraph (E) hereof, be applied by: 

(1) The Builder; 

(2) Any Subcontractor or Supplier who supplies Defense Housing Material to the delivery of which a rating has 

been applied as provided in paragraph (F) hereof. 

(E) Restrictions on Use of Preference Rating. 

(1) Restrictions on the Builder. 

(i) The Builder may apply the preference rating hereby assigned only to those quantities and kinds of De¬ 
fense Housing Material specifically authorized for such rating on the approved copy of the Applica¬ 
tion returned to the Builder. 

(ii) The Builder may not apply said preference rating to obtain delivery of Defense Housing Material in 
greater quantities or on earlier dates than required to enable him to maintain his construction sched¬ 
ule on the Remodeling Project. 

(2) Restrictions on Subcontractor and Supplier. 

(i) No Subcontractor or Supplier may apply the preference rating hereby assigned to obtain Defense Hous¬ 
ing Material in greater quantities or on earlier dates than required to enable him to make on schedule 
a delivery rated hereunder or, within the limitations of this paragraph (E)(2), to replace in his in¬ 
ventory Defense Housing Material so delivered. He shall not be deemed to require such Defense 
Housing Material if he can make his rated delivery and still retain a practicable working minimum 
inventory thereof; and if in making such d elivery he reduces his inventory below such minimum, he 
may apply the rating only to the extent necessary to restore his inventory to such minimum; 

(ii) Any Subcontractor or Supplier entitled to apply the preference rating hereby assigned to purchase 

orders or contracts to be placed by him for Defense Housing Material may defer the application of 
such rating until he can place a purchase order or contract for the minimum quantity procurable on 
his customary terms, provided that he shall not defer the application of any rating for more than three 
months after he becomes entitled to apply it; 

(iii) A Supplier may only apply the preference rating hereby assigned to deliveries of Defense Housing Ma¬ 

terial which he will resell without substantial change in form to fill a specific purchase order or con¬ 
tract rated hereunder or which he will use within the limitations of this paragraph (E) (2) to replace 
in his inventory Defense Housing Material so resold. 

18 - 27772-1 


69 


(F) Application of Preference Rating. 

(1) The Builder or any Subcontractor or Supplier, in order to apply the preference rating assigned to deliveries 
of Material to him, must endorse on each purchase order or contract rated hereunder a statement in the 
following form manually signed by an official duly authorized for such purpose: 

“Preference Rating A-5 is applied hereto’under Preference Rating Order No. P-110, with the terms 
of which Order the undersigned is familiar. 


(Name of builder, subcontractor or supplier) 


By.....” 

(Duly authorized official) 

This constitutes a representation to the War Production Board and to the person with whom the purchase 
order or contract is placed that such purchase order or contract is duly rated in accordance herewith. Such 
person shall be entitled to rely on this representation, unless he knows or has reason to believe it to be 
false. Any such purchase order or contract shall be restricted to Defense Housing Material, the delivery 
of which is rated in accordance herewith. 

(2) The Builder and any Subcontractor (not a Supplier) must, in addition to the requirements of (F) (1) above, 
serve a copy of this Order, together with a complete and accurate list showing the Defense Housing Mate¬ 
rials approved on the Application, to each person with whom he places a purchase order or contract rated 
hereunder. After one such copy has been furnished to a particular Subcontractor or Supplier, no addi¬ 
tional copy need be furnished to that Subcontractor or Supplier to cover any subsequent Application of the 
preference rating assigned hereunder. 


(G) Records.—In addition to the records required to be kept under Priorities Regulation No. 1, as amended from time 

to time, the Builder and each Subcontractor and Supplier placing or receiving any purchase order or contract 
rated hereunder, shall retain, for a period of two years, for inspection by representatives of the War Produc¬ 
tion Board, endorsed copies of all such purchase orders or contracts, whether accepted or rejected, segregated 
from all other purchase orders or contracts or filed in such manner that they can be readily segregated for 
such inspection. 

(H) Communications to War Production Board.—All reports required to be filed hereunder, and all communications 

concerning this Order, shall, unless otherwise directed, be addressed to: 

“WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 
Washington, D. C. Ref: P-110” 

(I) Violations.—Any person who willfully violates any provisions of this Order or who by an act or omission falsifies 

records to be kept or information to be furnished pursuant to this Order may be prohibited from receiving fur¬ 
ther delivery of any Material subject to allocation, and such further action may be taken as is deemed appro¬ 
priate including a recommendation for prosecution under Section 35A of the Criminal Code (18 U. S. C. 80). 

(J) Revocation or Amendment.—This Order may be revoked or amended by the Director of Industry Operations at 

any time as to the Builder, or any Subcontractor or Supplier. 

(1) In the event of revocation, deliveries already rated pursuant to this Order shall be completed in accordance 

with said rating, unless the rating has been specifically revoked with respect thereto. No additional appli¬ 
cations of the rating to any other deliveries shall thereafter be made by the Builder or any Subcontractor or 
Supplier affected by such revocation. 

(2) Upon expiration of this Order, deliveries already rated pursuant thereto shall be completed in accordance with 

said rating. No additional applications of the rating to any other deliveries shall thereafter be made by 
the Builder but a Subcontractor or Supplier may continue to apply the rating to deliveries of Defense 
Housing Material required by him to fill purchase orders or contracts duly rated hereunder or, within the 
limitations of paragraph (E) (2) hereof, to replace in his inventory Defense Housing Material so delivered. 

16 - 27772-1 


70 





(K) Applicability of Priorities Regulation No. 1.—This Order and all transactions affected thereby are subject to the 
provisions of Priorities Regulation No. 1, as amended from time to time, except to the extent that any provisions 
hereof may be inconsistent therewith, in which case the provisions of this Order shall govern. 


(L) Effective Date. —This Order shall take effect when countersigned by a District Manager, Bureau of Field Opera¬ 
tions, War Production Board, and unless sooner revoked, shall expire on* the day 

of , 1942. 


Issued this 8th day of April, 19U2. 



cT / 



J. S. Knowlson, 
Director of Industry Operations. 


(This order is not valid unless countersigned by a District Manager, Bureau of Field Operations, War Production Board) 

Countersigned by 


(Name) 


(Effective date) 


(Title) 


(Field office) 


INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING REPRODUCTION OF ORDERS 

This Order may be reproduced by any process, photographic, printing, mimeographing, or otherwise, 
provided that 

(1) all copies must be identical with the officially published order as to size, wording, paragraphing, and punc¬ 

tuation, and must be - substantially the same as to color of paper; 

(2) the name and address of the Builder to whom the Order is addressed and the Serial Number of the Order 

must be included in all copies in the space provided therefor at the head of the Order; 

(3) the name of J. S. Knowlson, Director of Industry Operations, must be included in all copies in type or print 

preceded by “(Signed)” in the space provided therefor at the end of the Order unless the entire Order is 

reproduced by photographic process. 


U S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-27772-1 







PD-406 

(4-7-42) 


rvlTni* ™“ y , b ® repro d u ced *>y an F process, photographic, printing, mimeographing or otherwise, provided that copies are identical 

wording, paragraphing, punctuation, sue of paper, and location on page of spaces to be filled in by applicant. 


to 


WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 

DIVISION OF INDUSTRY OPERATIONS 


WASHINGTON, D. C. 

APPLICATION FOR PREFERENCE RATING ON MATERIAL ENTERING INTO 
A LOW COST REMODELING PROJECT UNDER PREFERENCE RATING 
ORDER No. P-110 

This application must be filed in triplicate with the local office of the Federal Housing Administration 
having jurisdiction over the locality in which the remodeling project is located 

, (Copies of the Defense Housing Critical List, referred to in this application, may he obtained from any local office 

of the Federal Housing Administration, from any priority office of the Bureau of Field Operations, War Production 
Board, or from banks, building and loan associations, or other home-financing institutions. Information regarding the 
Defense Housing Critical Areas may be obtained from any local office of the Federal Housing Administration.) 

The undersigned hereby apply for priorities assistance under Preference Rating Order No. 
P-110 for the Remodeling Project described below and submit the following information: 

(1) The structure for which material is required is within a Defense Housing Critical Area being 
located at: 


(Street) 


(City or town) 


(County) (State) 

(2) The following accurately describes all the improvements and installations to be made in such 
structure: 


(3) Has any previous application of any kind for priorities assistance for the Remodeling Project 
or any part thereof been filed ?_ 

(Yes or no) 

If so, name form and date on which application was made and reason for reapplying. 


(4) The improvements and installations described in (2) above will create housing accommodations 

for_additional families or rooming accommodations for _ 

(State number) (State number) 

additional roomers. 

(5) The types of additional housing or rooming accommodations to be created by the Remodeling 

Project are listed below in accordance with the number of rooms in each such accommoda¬ 
tion together with the total cost of Defense Housing Material required for the completion of 
each additional housing accommodation, the total cost of such Material required for the com¬ 
pletion of the structure remodeled, and the monthly rental and sales price at which each such 
housing accommodation will be offered. The listed cost for each additional housing accom¬ 
modation must not exceed $100 times the number of rooms in such accommodation and the 
listed cost for the structure must not exceed $800. If the Remodeling Project is for owner- 
occupancy, the shelter rental and sales price should be listed to cover possible future sale or 
rentals. The shelter rental and sales prices shall not exceed reasonable prices for the type of 
housing accommodations offered and under no circumstances shall the monthly shelter rental 
exceed $50 per housing accommodation nor shall the sales price exceed $6,000 per single 
family dwelling structure. 

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO BE PROVIDED BY REMODELING PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN 


(List each type of unit separately , e . g . 2 units, 3 rooms each) 


Number of 
Units 

Number of 

Rooms Each 
(See Note A) 

Total Cost of 
Defense Housing 
Material Required 

Sales 

Price 

MONTHLY RENTAL 

Shelter Rental 
(See Note B) 

Charge for 
Services 



s .. 



































16 - 27884-1 

Total for whole structure $- 


NOTE A.—Count only living, dining, and sleeping rooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Each such room shall be 
counted as one room and kitchenettes and dinettes as one-half room each. 

NOTE B.—Shelter rental is the total rent charged less reasonable allowance for such of the following services 
and utilities as may be provided and paid for by the landlord and included in the total rent: Water (hot and cold), 
heat and electricity for tenants’ quarters and for public areas, gas, janitor services, furniture, ranges and refrigera¬ 
tors, telephone, garage, and other services and utilities of a similar nature. 

The following services are to be provided the tenants for the “Charge for Services” indicated 
above: 


72 



































( 6 ) 


The following are the only Defense Housing Materials required for the completion of the 
Remodeling Project and their cost. The descriptions contained in the Defense Housing 
Critical List must be used and the appropriate number from the List must be set forth 
opposite each item. 


Item 

No. 


Description op 
Material Required 


Unit op 
Measure 


REQUESTED 


Quantity 


Total 

Cost 


I 


FOR OFFICIAL 
USE ONLY 


Approved 

Quantity 


The approved, items in (6) above are the only items to the delivery of which a preference rating may be applied by 
the Builder under any P-110 Order covering the Remodeling Project described herein. 


CERTIFICATIONS 

In those cases, where no general contractor is employed by the Owner to construct the 
Remodeling Project, the Owner shall sign the Builder’s Certification set forth below in addition to 
the Owner’s Certification. 

Builder’s Certification.—In support of this application and in consideration of tlie issuance of a 
P-110 Order, the Builder hereby certifies and agrees that— 

(1) The items listed in (6) above are necessary for the construction of and will be used solely 

to complete the Remodeling Project. 

(2) Every effort has been made to reduce the use of Defense Housing Materials in the Re¬ 

modeling Project and no practical substitutes for any of the items listed in (6) above 
are possible. 

(3) None of the items listed in (6) above are available for use in the Remodeling Project. 

(4) No Defense Housing Materials other than those listed in (6) above, as finally approved, 

will be purchased with the use of a preference rating assigned by any P-110 Order 
issued on this application. 

(5) The information contained in this application is true and complete to the best of my 

knowledge and belief. 


(Legal name of builder) 


(Address of builder) 


By--- - 

(Signature and title of duly authorized agent) (Telephone number of builder) 

Owner’s Certification.—In support of this application and in consideration of the issuance of a 
P-110 Order, the Owner hereby certifies and agrees that— 

(1) No expenditure for Defense Housing Materials will be made for remodeling any housing 

accommodation or any structure in the Remodeling Project, in excess of the amounts 
listed in paragraph (5) above, unless specific authorization has been obtained from the 
Director of Industry Operations. Applications for such authorization must be filed 
with the priorities field office issuing the P-110 Order based on this application. 

(2) No housing accommodation or structure in the Remodeling Project will, during the 

period of the National Emergency declared to exist by the President on September 8, 
1939, be sold, leased, or permitted to be subleased, by the undersigned at a shelter 
rental or sales price in excess of those set forth in (5) above. 

(3) The information contained in this application is true and complete to the best of my 

knowledge and belief. 


(Legal name of owner) 


(Address of owner) 


By------- -- ---- 

(Signature and title of duly authorized agent) (Telephone number of owner) 


Approved : 


(Name of F. H. A. official) 


(Date approved) 


(Title) 


(Location of office) 


- 73 


16-27884-1 


U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 






















































WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 
OFFICE OF PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT 
DIVISION OF INDUSTRY OPERATIONS 

APPLICATION FOR PROJECT RATING 


PD-200 
4/9/42 

REF: L-41 


INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF APPLICATION FOR PROJECT RATING 

Fill out in quintuplicate and execute the Certification on the original copy. Retain the quintuplicate copy and send all 
other copies to the field office of the Federal Housing Administration having jurisdiction over the location of the site. Where 
space on the form is not sufficient to furnish the information required or additional relevant information, attach supplemental 
typewritten statement in quadruplicate. Applicant must be owner or lessee of site of proposed project. 


DO NOT FILL IN 


Serial No__ 

Primary Industrial 
Branch . 


Nc 


To Bo An a wrod Bolow by Applicant 


To Bo Answered Bolow by Applicant 


10 


Name of applicant. 

Address of applicant. 

Location of project. 

Have you applied for a Government Certificate of Necessity? 

If so, identify complete reference. 

Describe project in sufficient detail for complete identification, 
including— 

(o) Number of buildings. 

(6) Type of construction of each building. 

Describe product or service to be produced by the project for 
which application is made. 

State capacity of proposed project in terms of product or service 
to be produced. 

Explain in detail relationship of such product or service to 
national defense, public health or safety, or Government- 
sponsored programs. 

Is proposed project— 

(a, A new facility? 

(b) Addition to existing facility? 

(c) Remodeling of existing facility? 

Is proposed project under construction? If so, state— 

(а) Date started. 

(б) Percent of completion. 


11 

12 

13 

14 


16 


16 

17 


State estimated completion date of project. 

State estimated cost of project, exclusive of site. 

How is project being financed? , 

If project will increase manufacturing facilities, state— 

(a) What percent of your total current business consists of 
orders rated A-10 or better? 

What percent of your current business, limited to the 
product is) to be produced by the project, consists of 
orders rated A-10 or better? 

Pattern of rated orders referred to in par agraph 14 (b;. for 
example: 7 percent—A-l-a; 10 percent—A-2; 30 per¬ 
cent—A-5; etc. 

Explain in detail what consideration has been given to— 

(a) Temporarily using other available facilities (as vacant 
building). 

Reconditioning existing facilities. 

Increasing productiveness of present facilities (as by work¬ 
ing addition&i shifts or otherwise gaining objectives of 
proposed project). 

Identify and attach evidence (if any) of Federal, State,, or local 
government endorsement of this application. 

Have you made other or previous application related to proposed 
project or any part thereof? If so, explain. 


(&) 


(c) 


(b) 

to 


N*. 


Identify Each Statement With Cor.wpondinc Instruction Number (shown tbovs) 


The undersigned hereby certifies that he is authorized to execute tins application on behalf of the applicant; that there is 
no omission of any material fact; that the facts herein set forth, or appended (including Critical Materials List PD-200A), are 
true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief. 


(Date) 


(Signaloxe and title of authorized official) 


SArfinn 36 (A) of the United States Criminal Code, 18 U. S. C., Section 80, makes it a criminal offense to make a false statement or representa¬ 
tion to any Department or Agency of the United States as to any matter within its jurisdiction. 


- 74 













































PD-200 0 
U/9/U2 


CRITICAL MATERIALS LIST FOR PROJECT RATINGS 


Serial No, 


STRUCTURAL MATERIALS FOR ALL PUR¬ 
POSES 


; (Inct. power piants) 

Iron and Stool 

1. Structural steel. 1 

2. Reinforcing ate*. 1 

3. 8teel mreh. 1 

4. Plates. 1 
6. Slabs. 1 

6. Bars. 1 

Shoots: 

7. Shoct iron, black, un cor tad.* 

8. Sheet iron. flat, galvanised.* 

9. Corrugated sheet iron, black, uncoated.* 

:0. Co.rugated sbeot iron, galvanised.* 

11. Corrugated sheet iron, asphalt, protected.* 

12. Forgings. 1 

13. Castings. 1 

14. Steel sash, window and frame.* 

15. Steel bucks, door. etc., frames.* 

16. All other iron and steel. 4 


17_ 

18._ 


UTILITIES (Including pumping, 
system, etc.) 

54. Sewage pipe, iron (lbs. per ft. ..... 


Miration 


65. Sewage pipe, steel (lbs. per ft.-)•* 

56. Fittings, as additional. 1 

67. Gae lines (material--— 


(lbs. per ft._).* 

58. Fittings as additional. 4 
69. Water pipe line* (material . 


(lbn. per ft. -).* 

00. Fittings as additional. 4 

61. Steam lines (material — 

(lbs. per ft._).* 

62. Fittings as additional.* 

63. Fuel lines (material_ 


(lbs. per ft.-).* 

64. Fittings as additional* 

65. Klectrio lines (cuprouo) flba. per ft. __-). T 

66. Fittings or appurtenances, additional.* 

07. Electric lines, other. 7 

68. Fitt-inga or appurtenanoee. additional.* 


20. Naik7*~ " 

21. 6beet piling. 1 

22. Metal lath.® 

23. 8teol deck roofing.* 

24. Tubing.* 

25. Fence.* 



Special rtMlu 

26. 

SUinW< 

27. 

Chromium.* 



29. 

Conduit.* 


Of her Metals (H o st ferrous) 

30. Pipe, copper.* 

31. Pipe, brass.* 

32. Pipe, other (nonierroua).* 

Sheet metal: 

33. Roofing, flashing.* 

34. Down spouting and gutters.* 

36. Miscellaneous.* 

36. Weather stripping.* 

37. Screening.* 

Aluminum! 

38. Castings.* 

89. Rolled.* 

40. Extrusion.* 

41. Powdor.* 

42. Screens.* 

43. _ 


69. Conduit (material _.—-—-—) 

(lbs. per ft. —__—).* 

70. Conduit, fittings, eto., additional* 

71. Corrugated iron pipe, coated.* 

72. Corrugated iron pipe, in coated.* 

MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES AND 
APPURTENANCES 

78. Water storage (number of tanka, gage of metal, 
and dimension** and type).* 

74. Gasoline storage (number of tanka, gage of 
metal, and dimensions and type).* 

76. Other storage (number of tanks, gage, dimen- 
aiona).* 

76. Railroad track (weight of rail per ft. of rail). 

(Total rail length.)* 

77. Electrio lighting fixtures.® 

Hardware: 

78. Hardware—butts. 10 

79. Hardware—locks. 10 

80. Miscellaneous.* 

81 . __ 


oz. ---- 

83. Plumbing fixtures—w. o. vmetals only).* 

84- Plumbing fixtures—lava, (metals only).® 

86. Plumbing fixtures—bath tube (metals only).* 

86. Plumbing fixtures—uuac. sinks (metals only).* 

87. Other. 

88 ...-. 


00 ._ 


CLAY PRODUCTS 

103. Brick, refractory. 1 * 

104. Brick, other than refractory.'* 

106. Clay, refractory. 1 

106. Tile (partition and back-up). 1 * 

107. Glaxed ahd facing tile. 1 * 

108. Clay pipe, glaxed sewer pipe. 1 * 

109. Drain tile, uoglaxed. 1 * 

GYPSUM PRODUCTS 

110. Sheering board.* 

111. Wall board.* 

112. Lath.* 

113. Plaster. 1 

114. Partition tile * 

116. Roof, precast.* 

116. Roof, pourpd.* 

LUMBER 

117. Construction lumber 2 inches thick and under 

(including common boards and dimension). 1 * 

118. Construction lumber 3 inches thick or over. 1 * 

119. Finish Ijmber (including siding, interior finish. 

ceiling, paneling, eto.). 1 * 

120. Finish flooring. 1 * 

121. Window sash and wiudow frames. 1 * 

122. Doors and door frames. 1 ® 

123. Plywood. Douglas fir.® 

124. Plywood, hardwood.* 

125. Fibre board insulation (including Celotex, 

Insulite, eto.).* 

126. Wall board, laminated.® 

127. Wall board, hard (including Masonite, eto.).* 

128. Tank and pipe stock. 1 * 

129. Piling, untreated.* 

130. Piling, treated. 8 

131. Miscellaneous (such as poles, eto.).® 

132. Railroad ties—untreated. 1 ® 

133. Railroad ties—troated. 1 ® 

INSULATING, ETC.. MATERIALS 
Cork and cork products: 

134. Insulating board (thickness.._in.). 1 * 

136. Other.** 

Asbestos products: 

Asbestos cement shingles: 

136. Roofing.* 

137. Siding. 3 

138. Corrugated asbeatoe cement sheets.* 

139. Flat asbestos sheets. 5 

140. Ebooixed asbestos.* 

Ax best ox cement pip*: 

141. Under 8-inch. 8 

142. 8-inch to J2-inoh.® 

143. Over 12-inoh.® 

Magnesia and high tsmperature Insula¬ 
tions: * 

Magnesia (86% Mg.) (200® to 600® F.): 


MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT— Continued 

161. Pump* and niscellaneous machinery. 

162. ___ 

163. _ 

164. _ 

156.___,— 

166. Unit refrigerators (air-conditioning systems not 

to be reported here, but under "Metale- 

Utilities").* 

167. Ranges and stoves (cafeteria and other kitehen, 

etc., equipment under "Metala-lron and 
Steel." and other).* 

On items listed below valued at more than f10,000. 
give summary break-down and individual ooeta on a 
separate sheet. 

POWER, GENERATING AND DISTRIBUTING 
EQUIPMENT 

Steam: 

168. Boilers. 

169. Combustion equipment. 

160. Pumpe. 

161. Compressors. 

162. Turbines. 

163. 8team generating equipment (N. E. C.). 

164. 8team distribution equipment (N. E. C.). 
Electric: 

166. Motors. 

166. Generators. 

167. Transformers. 

168. Convertors. 

169. Other electrical generation equipment (N. E. 

C.). 

170. Electrical transmission equipment(N. E. C.). 

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 

171. Machine tools.* 

172. Material-handling equipment. 

173. Manufacturing add processing machinery and 

pans (N. E. C.)» 

174. Laboratory/equipment. 

OFFICE EQUIPMENT 

175. Business machines. 

176. Other office equipment. 

CHEMICALS (Specify). 


177. 

178. _ 

179. _ 

180. _ 

181._ 


Lead: 


44. 

45. 

46. 


Sheet.® 

Pipe.* 

Pig.* 


Tin: 

47. Pig.® 4 

48. 8 beet.® 

49. Other.® 

60. Miscellaneous.® 


81 ._ 

62._ 

53. . 


9L--- 

CEMENT AND CONCRETE 

92. Cement or alternate. 11 

93. Concrete. 1 * 

Concrete masonry: 

94. Lightweight—exposed. 1 * 

96. Lightweight—backing. 1 * 

06. Heavyweight—exposed. 1 * 

97. Heavyweight—backing. 1 * 

98. Concrete pipe.* 

99. Average concrete per lin. ft. 1 ® 

100. Average steel rods per lin. ft.® 

101. Average steel mesh per lin. ft.® 

102. Precast concrete roof slab (featherweight).* 


144. Pipe covering. 11 

146. Blocks. 11 

High tsmperature- (86% Mg.) (600® 

to 1900° F.): 

146. Pipe covering.* 1 

147. Blocks. 11 

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 
.Heaters and boilers (low pressure) i 

148. Heating coils and oonvectors.* 

149. Radiators, iron.* 

160. Traps (material ........._ 

flbe. per-)■* 


182. 

183. 

184. 


187. 

188. 

189. 

190. 


Use the following units of measure for entry in column 2 below. 

‘Tons. * Units. • 3q. ft. 1 Ft. ® Pcs. (or units). 11 Bbls. ‘* M. 18 Bd. ft. 11 Sections. 

2 100 Sq. ft. 4 Lbs. * Squares. • Lin. ft. 10 Sets or units. 11 Cu. yds. 14 Cu. ft. 18 Pcs. 


•Fill in oolumns 3, 4, and 5 for informational purposes only. 
Preference ratings on machine tools must be applied for 
separately on Form PD-1. 


Indicate only those materials for which substitutions of noncritical materials cannot be made. In event construction has been started, 
list only those materials needed for the completion of the Project. (Do not list materials delivered to site or in transit.) 


LIST OF MATERIALS NEEDED FOR PROJECT 


Item 

(1) 

Unit or Measure 
(2) 

Numbeb 
of Units 
(3) 

Value 

(4) 

Description of Us* 

(5) 

APPLICANT LEAVE BLANK 

(6) 







Total of all critical materials_ 

X X X X X X X 

X X X X 


XXXXXXXXXXXXX 



(SPACE BELOW NOT TO BE FILLED OUT BY APPLICANT) 


Substitutions: 


The items in the quantity listed in column 3, as 
they may be modified in column 6 and by the 
substitutions provided hereon, are hereby approved. 

Approved Bt: 


Total, op Substitutions . 


(• 


Chief. 

Branch) 


Total op Critical Materials Minus Substitutions . . $_ 


(bat*) 42026 


75 



























































































TITLE 32 - NATIONAL DEFENSE 
CHAPTER IX - WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 
Subchapter B - DIVISION OF INDUSTRY OPERATIONS 
Part 1075 - CONSTRUCTION 
CONSERVATION ORDER NO. L-U 


War requirements of the United States have created a shortage of all materials required 
for war production and construction necessary thereto, for private account and for export; the War 
Production Board accordingly has stated as its policy that it is in the national interest that all 
construction which is not essential, directly or indirectly, to the successful prosecution of the war, 
and which involves the utilization of labor, material or construction plant urgently needed in the 
trar effort, be deferred for the duration of the emergency; the following order is, therefore, neces¬ 
sary and appropriate in the public interest to conserve scarce materials by allocating them to essen¬ 
tial uses and restricting their use in non-essential construction. 


Section 1075.1 - CONSERVATION ORDER NO, L-U 

(a) Definitions . For the purpose of this Order 

(1) "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, business trust, corporation, 
governmental corporation or agency, or any organized group of persons, whether incor¬ 
porated or not. 

(2) "Construction" means the erection, construction, remodeling or rehabilitation of any 
building, structure or project, or additions thereto or extensions or alterations 
thereof, but not including maintenance or repair as defined in paragraphs (a)(8) and 
(a)(9) below. 

(3) "Residential Construction" means any Construction where the principal function of 
the building, structure or project is or will be tc provide living space or accommo¬ 
dations, including, but not limited to, single or multiple dwelling units, dormi¬ 
tories, hotels, and apartment houses. 

(4) "Agricultural Construction" means any Construction, other than Residential Construc¬ 
tion, where the building, structure or project is used in the production of agricul¬ 
tural products including, but not limited to, those produced by farmers, planters, 
ranchmen, dairymen, or nut or fruit growers. 

(5) "Other Restricted Construction" means any Construction, other than Residential &nd- 
Afcrlcultural Construction, including but not limited to commercial, industrial, recre¬ 
ational, institutional, highway, roadway, sub-surface and utilities construction, 
whether publicly or privately financed. 

(6) "Begin Construction" means to initiate Construction by physically incorporating into 
ary Construction material which is an integral part of the Construction. 

(7) "Cost" is meant to include the total cost of labor and material, including equipment, 
architects', engineers', and contractors' fees, insurance charges and financing costs. 

(8) "Maintenance" means the upkeep of a building, structure or project in sound working 
condition. 





(9) "Repair" means the restoration, without change of design, of any portion of a building, 
structure or project to sound working condition, when such portion has been rendered 
unsafe or unfit for service by wear and tear, damage or other similar causes. 

(b) Prohibited Construction . No Person shall, after the date of issuance of this Order, Begin 
Construction, or order, purchase, accept delivery of, withdraw from inventory or in any other manner 
secure or use material or construction plant in order to Begin Construction, unless the Construction is 
within one of the following classes: 


(1) The Construction is to be the property of the Army or Navy of the United States, the 
United States Maritime Commission, the Panama Canal, the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the 
Coast Guard, the Civil Aeronautics Authority, or the Office of Scientific Research and 
Development. 

(2) The Construction consists of any building, structure or project which is used directly 
in the discovery, development or depletion of mineral deposits. 

(3) The Construction is of a type subject to the provisions of any order in the M-68 series 
relating to the production and distribution of petroleum. Any such construction is 
permitted only to the extent authorized by the applicable order in the M-68 series. 

(4) The Construction is Residential and 

(i) the estimated Cost is less than five hundred dollars; or 

(ii) is to reconstruct or restore Residential Construction damaged or destroyed after 
December 31, 1941, by fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, act of God or the public 
enemy. 

(5) The Construction is Agricultural and the estimated Cost is less than one thousand 
dollars. 

(6) The Construction is Other Restricted Construction and the estimated Cost is less than 
five thousand dollars. 

(7) The Construction has been or is hereafter authorized by the Director of Priorities of 
the Office of Production Management or by the Director of Industry Operations by the 
issuance of 

(i) one of the Preference Rating Orders or Certificates listed on Schedule A attached 
hereto, as that Schedule may be amended from time to time, according priorities 
assistance to the Construction; or 

(ii) an order specifically authorizing the Construction. 


Provided, however, that the exceptions set forth in paragraphs (b)(4)(i), (b)(5), and (b)(6) shall not 
be construed to authorize separate or successive Construction operations the aggregate Cost of which 
over any continuous twelve month period exceeds the amount specified in the applicable paragraph for 
the particular building, structure or project. 

(c) Prohibited Deliveries . No Person shall accept an order for, sell, deliver, or cause to be 
delivered, material or construction plant vjhich he knows, or has reason to believe, will be used in 
violation of the terms of this Order. 


77 




(d) Further Construction Limitations , Nothing in this Order shall be construed to authorize the 
use or delivery of any material, or the application or extension of any preference rating, in violation 
of the provisions of any conservation, limitation or other order or regulation heretofore or hereafter 
issued by the Director of Priorities, Office of Production Management, or by the Director of Industry 
Operations. 

(e) Orders or Certificates not Constituting Authorization . The assignment of a preference rating 
by a PD-1, PD-1A or Other certificate, or by any order other than those listed in Schedule A, shall not 
constitute authorization to Begin Construction. 

(f) Applications for Authority to Begin Construction . 

(1) If the applicant requires priorities assistance for the proposed construction, an appli¬ 
cation shall be made for the appropriate Preference Rating Order or Certificate listed 
on Sohedule A on the form referred to therein. 

(2) Where the applicant does not require priorities assistance, application for the specific 
authorization to Begin Construction referred to in paragraph (b)(7)-(ii) hereof may be 
made by filing Forms PD-200 and PD-200A, or such other forms as may hereafter be pre - 
scribed, together with a statement showing (1) that no priorities assistance is requested, 
(2) whether any previous application for authorization has been denied, and, if so, the 
reasons therefor, and (3) the total value of all Construction on the particular building 
structure or project in the preceding twelve month period. Such forms or statements are 
to be filed with the field office of the Federal Housing Administration having jurisdic¬ 
tion over the location of the site. 

t 

(3) In applying either for priority assistance or for authorization to Begin Construction, 
the applicant should also submit additional information as to the necessity for the pro¬ 
posed construction, any exceptional hardships which the restrictions of this Order impose 
upon him, the effect on employment conditions if the application is denied, and any other 
pertinent facts. 

(g) Violations . Any person who wilfully violates any provision of thi3 Order or who wilfully fur¬ 
nishes false information to the Director of Industry Operations in connection with this Order is guilty 
of a crime, and upon conviction may be punished by fine or imprisonment. In addition, any such person 
may be prohibited from making or obtaining further deliveries or from processing or using material under 
priority control and may be deprived of priorities assistance by the Director of Industry Operations. 

(h) Communications . Applications, communications and reports under this Order shall, unless 
otherwise directed, be addressed to: 


War Production Board 
Washington, D.C. Ref: L-41 


Those relating to Residential Construction shall in addition be conspicuously marked ''Res.' 1 , those re¬ 
lating to Agricultural Construction »Agr. n , and those relating to Other Restricted Construction, "O.R." 

(i) Effective Date . This Order shall take effect immediately. 


Issued this 9th day of April, 1942. 


J. S. Knowlson 

Director of Industry Operations 


78 








SCHEDULE A 


CONSERVATION CRDER L-41 


The following Preference Rating Orders and Certificates are listed pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(7)(i) of the above Order. A general description of the type of construction covered by each, 
the appropriate application form and where such form should be filed, are given solely for purposes 
of identification. 


Preference 

Rating Order Type of Construction Application Forms Where Filed 


P-14-a Shipyards and Shipways 

P-14-b 


P-19 Buildings, structures and pro- 

P-19-a jects important to the war 

effort and essential civilian 
needs, other than housing 

P-19-d Publicly financed housing 

P-19-g 


P-19-e 


Public Roads 


P-19-h Buildings, structures and pro- 

P-19-i jects important to the war 

effort and essential civilian 
needs other than housing 

P-41 Construction' of air transport 

facilities 


P-46 


Certain types of utilities 
Construction 


P-55 

P-55 amended Privately financed Defense 
Housing 


P-98 Construction related to 

Petroleum Enterprises as 
defined and limited therein 

P-110 Remodeling of housing in 

defense areas 


P-115 Expansion of Canning Plants 

Certificates 

PD-3 Principally buildings, struc- 

PD-3A tures and projects owned or 

to be owned by the Array, Navy 
or certain other governmental 
agencies 


No form 


Maritime Commission, 
Washington, D. C. 


No further application 
accepted under P-19 and P-19-a. 
Apply for P-19-h or P-19-i 


Application is made only by the 
federal agency principally 
interested in the construction 


Application is made by or 
through the Public Roads 
Administration of PWA 

Forms PD-200 and PD-200A 

See Order 

See Order 

Form PD-105 

See Orders in M-68 series 

Form PD-406 

Form PD-285 
Form PD-3A 



With the field office 
of FHA having juris¬ 
diction over the 
location of the site 

— 


With the field office 
of FHA having juris¬ 
diction over locatir 
of the site 


With field office of 
FHA having Jurisdic¬ 
tion over the loca¬ 
tion of the site 

With WPB, Washington 


With the contracting 
or procurement offi¬ 
cial having jurisdic¬ 
tion over the contract 




42002 


- 79 - 















WAR PRODUCTION BOARD 


For Immediate Release 
Friday, April 17, 1942 


The War Production Board today issued the following questions and answers regarding 

Conservation Order L-41, placing non-essential construction under rigid control: 

Q. The site for a building has been staked off. A building permit from the city has been 
Issued. All the materials have been paid for and delivered to the site and men are 
excavating. Does this constitute beginning construction? 

A. NO. Under the terms of the order, construction is "begun” when materials have been 
physically incorporated into the building itself. 

Q. The foundation for a house was laid last fall but work was postponed during the winter. 
Can the owner, without authorization, build the house on this foundation? 

A. YES. 

Q. A person has received a Federal Housing Administration loan to build a house but con¬ 
struction was not begun before April 9, the date Conservation Order L-41 went into 
effect. Does the approval of the Federal Housing Administration loan constitute au¬ 
thorization to start construction? 

A. NO. Residential construction costing $500 or more not begun before April 9 can not be 
started without specific authorization from War Production Board. 

Q. The owner of a cottage has received an order from the State Government to move his 
dwelling inland some distance from its present location on the seashore. Does this 
order constitute an authorization when the cost of building new foundations will be 
more than $500? 

A. NO* Authorization has to be obtained from the War Production Board. 

Q. A man plans to build a house himself with help from other members of his family who 
will receive no compensation. The total financial outlay is less than $500, does he 
have to receive authorization to commence construction? 

A. NO. Because the total cost is less than $500, no authorization is necessary. 

Q. A residence was burned down Christmas day. The owner has all material on hand for re¬ 
building on foundations which were not damaged by the fire. Can he build without 
authorization? 

A. NO. Authorization is required to begin construction to replace houses destroyed by 
fire unless the fire occurred on or after January 1, 1942. 

Q. A house was destroyed by fire in February, 1942. Can the owner receive priority help 
in restoring the dwelling as he cannot otherwise get the necessary material? 

A. No blanket provision for priority assistance in such cases has been established the 
owner is permitted to begin construction without authorization (because the fire occurred 
since January 1, 1942), but if he needs priority assistance, he can apply for such help 
as though his house were a new construction project. There is no assurance, however, 
that it will be granted. 

Q. A builder has material on hand to construct a house. He is unable to get authorization 
to begin construction. Does the government assume any responsibility for the disposal 
of this material? 

A. NO. 


80 


Q. Can a complete house be built if its total costs is less than $500? 

A. YES. 

. / 

Q. A manufacturer of tile roofing has received an order from a supplier. Can the manu- 

facturer fill the order? 

A. YES> unless he knows or has reason to believe that the material will be used in an un¬ 
authorized project. 

Q. A land owner has purchased second-hand equipment to drain his plantation. The cost of 
labor will exceed $1,000. Do projects of this type involving no work other than ditch 
digging fall under the ban placed by L-41? 

A. NO. If no materials are to be used in the project, he can dig as many ditches as he 
wants. 

Q. Because of increased production requirements at a Coal mine, the company owning the 
property desires to build additional houses for use by miners needed for increased op¬ 
erations. Is it necessary for the company to get authorization? 

A. YES. 

Q. An owner has been ordered by City Building Inspectors to install a fire escape on an 
apartment before his housing permit will be renewed. The cost of the installation is 
more than $500. Does the order from the City Inspectors constitute authorization for 
him to begin construction? 

A. NO. Because the remodeling costs more than $500, the owner has to get authorization 
from the War Production Board. 

Q. Plans have been made for the construction of a highway. Grading has been completed. 
Equipment is on the site. Pouring of concrete, however> has not begun. Does this, 
under the terms of the order, constitute beginning construction? 

A. NO. Authorization must be requested, but in cases such as this, the chances for ap¬ 
proval are better than for projects in a less advanced stage. 


































101 
























